Blog

Governments can appropriate American Rescue Plan dollars to help the travel and hospitality industries rebound from economic devastation brought by the pandemic.  Article written by Andrea Noble, June 16, 2021; for Route Fifty.  States are restarting their economic engines this summer and several are planning to use federal stimulus dollars to help bring back tourists.Read more

The American Rescue Plan is delivering an unprecedented $350 billion in direct aid to state and local governments across the country and the sheer size of their share has many leaders overwhelmed. Acadia Parish has received $12.1 million in funding, and the seven municipalities in the parish have between them another $10.7 million, the amounts variedRead more

On June 30, 2021, Governor John Bel Edwards announced more then $315 million in federal coronavirus relief aid will be allocated to 290 Louisiana towns and cities under the American Rescue Plan to help them respond to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency and support economic recovery. “The American Rescue Plan provided vital aid for communities largeRead more

By Steve Bandy, Managing Editor of Crowley Post Signal The citizens of Iota are beginning to see the fruits of their labors. For years, a volunteer committee has been holding fund raisers–pausing for COVID-19–in order to build the first-ever community park. Carrie Leckelt, who chairs the all-volunteer group, explained they agreed to name the parkRead more

By Greg Hilburn, Lafayette Daily Advertiser, published on June 25, 2021.  Louisiana adults will be able to access grants to pay for education for high-demand, high-paying careers beginning next summer at the state’s community and technical colleges after Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the MJ Foster Promise program into law. Louisiana Community and Technical College System President MontyRead more

One Acadiana announced on Thursday, June 24, that they, in collaboration with Louisiana Economic Development, will host the sixth cohort of the Acadiana CEO Roundtable program. The 2021 Acadiana CEO Roundtable program will begin on August 5, 2021. CEO Roundtables bring together groups of 15-18 key decision makers from Louisiana-based small businesses 10 times overRead more

State policy leaders play a vital role in advancing credential transparency as a critical part of their larger economic and education strategy. Many organizations are encouraging state policy leaders to integrate transparency with efforts aimed at quality, attainment goals, equity and affordability. State policymakers can support quality assurance of credentials through the following actions: PrioritizeRead more

By Ty Kiisel, June 16, 2021 Small business owners in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport, New Orleans, and dozens of other Louisiana towns can’t always do it alone. They need resources to support them in launching, building, and growing their businesses. Whether that’s taking business courses from Louisiana Economic Development (LED), getting a mentor at aRead more

BATON ROUGE, LA (June 10, 2021)–As the 2021 Regular Legislative Session wrapped up Thursday, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) singled out its list of landmark bills passed by the legislature that can truly change the Louisiana business climate for the better. “This has been an extremely collaborative session where legislators worked togetherRead more

The current economic recovery places a premium on knowledge and skills required by industries and occupations that have reaped increasing demand for their products and services. As a result, state policymakers are appropriately prioritizing high-quality, demand-driven career pathways that culminate in postsecondary credentials that lead to in-demand, high-wage jobs. To do that well, states needRead more