There is an effort underway to streamline the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) so it can respond at the speed of business. The department has been hamstrung by bureaucratic regulations that sometimes seem to take forever to navigate. In an effort to facilitate change, Governor Jeff Landry appointed Susan Bourgeois as Secretary of LED. Her background has been in running the Northshore Community Foundation and serving as Chair of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Her specialty is strategic planning. As part of the effort to reimage the department, Senator Beth Mizell, Chair of the Louisiana Senate Commerce Committee has introduced Senate Bill 474. The legislation is scheduled to be presented to the committee tomorrow.

The bill provides an advisory committee to LED, to be known as the Louisiana Economic Development Partnership. The committee shall consist of eleven appointed members. Nine members will be appointed by the governor, one member appointed by the president of the Senate, and one member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives. The Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development shall serve as an ex-officio member of the committee. We hope that each region of the state will be equally represented. No member of the advisory committee shall hold an elected office. 

The legislation loosens procurement policies and implementation of technology within the department so that LED can become more competitive with other states. A nonprofit corporation will be established to engage in cooperative endeavors with the federal government for the purposes of participating in any federal program for which it may become eligible and any other funding source including private funds.

A key requirement of the legislation will be to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and long range economic development plan in consultation with, and advice from, the Louisiana Economic Development Partnership. The secretary shall have
the authority to enter into negotiated settlement agreements for all statutory incentive programs, with the approval of the Secretary of the Department of Revenue and the Governor.

Working with the eight regional economic development organizations in the state, which includes the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, is key to moving growth forward. Secretary Bourgeois has been working with The Committee of
100 and our regional organizations to look at best practices from successful economic development efforts in selected states. 

By streamlining operations and focusing on strategic growth sectors, SB494 would enhance the agency’s capacity to support business expansion and job creation across the state. It would also facilitate a more coordinated and efficient approach to economic development initiatives, encouraging collaboration among state, regional and local entities.  The bill would make the agency more agile. 

Ann Trappey, Interim President/CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber said “This bill is a game changer for our state, promising to elevate Louisiana’s position as a prime destination for investment and innovation.” At the SWLA Alliance, we agree, and look forward to seeing this legislation move forward. Then we can focus on institutional changes in education, workforce development, improved infrastructure and site development, and other areas, to make Louisiana among the most competitive states in the
country.