ADAM KNAPP - Baton Rouge Area Chamber

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KNAPP
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BRAC LEGISLATIVE
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cat·a·lyst (kat’l ist) n. — 1) Something that initiates or
causes an important event to happen. 2) A person or thing
that precipitates an event or change. 3) See also energy,
momentum, trailblazer, Baton Rouge Area Chamber
Our Economy: Update & Outlook
The latest trends in the Capital Region economy.
Our Progress: Measuring Our Success
A report on BRAC’s activities in Q1, 2008.
Legislative Victories
BRAC’s top regional priorities advance.
Adam Knapp Gets It
BRAC’s new CEO has great perspective.
Economic Development Investors
Leading organizations funding
The Campaign for a Greater Baton Rouge.
FIRST QUARTER 2008
L

ETTER
Chair
from the
Year Three of The Campaign for a
Greater Baton Rouge is off to a great start.
I am extremely excited to announce that this issue includes an introduction to BRAC’s
new President and CEO, Adam Knapp. Adam has an extensive background in many
aspects of economic development and has worked in both the public and private
sectors. He has a bold vision for maintaining BRAC’s position as the leading
economic development organization in the Gulf South region and will certainly
take the initiatives of The Campaign for a Greater Baton Rouge to the next
level. After an extensive national search, the BRAC Board is confident that
Adam Knapp has all of the skill sets, knowledge, and enthusiasm that will be
required to be successful in this challenging job.
By no means have we been standing still during this transition. So far in
2008, we have secured four project wins totaling more than 200 high-paying
jobs from our business retention, expansion, and recruitment efforts. The
prospect list continues to grow and we are well on our way to achieving our
goal of 1,200 new jobs by year-end.
The first quarter was also busy at the State Capitol as BRAC provided
important leadership in each of Governor Jindal’s two special legislative
sessions. In this issue, we highlight major successes on several of our
top priorities including governmental ethics laws and enforcement,
transportation funding, the elimination of unorthodox business taxes, and
increased funding for both LSU and the Pennington Biomedical Research
Center. BRAC’s 2008 legislative priorities are well-poised for the regular
legislative session and in good hands with Kristy McKearn as BRAC’s new
Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs.
I truly believe that our success over the first quarter is a clear indication
of what is to come for the rest of the year—2008 will be a historic time
for the Baton Rouge area.
Thank you for your support of our important work,
Sincerely,
Jim Ellis

{ T H E E C O N O M Y }
UPDATE
O N T H E BATO N R O U G E A R E A EC O N O M Y
Population estimates diverge in 2007.
Several population estimates for the Baton Rouge area have been called into question beginning shortly
after the 2005 hurricane season, including more popular Census annual estimates. Several factors made
it difficult for the Census to provide reliable estimates for the Baton Rouge community immediately after
the storms. First, because it was not possible to make standard census phone calls to homes that no
longer existed or to track down many displaced residents, it was necessary to quantify the population
along the Gulf Coast and the displaced Gulf Coast residents by non-traditional methods. Since the storms,
most population data providers have coupled non-traditional sources of data with traditional baseline
estimates to attain reasonable estimates of the yielded population reality in the Capital Region.
Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) population
estimates consider a number of local data unavailable
to many national surveys such as housing
vacancy rates, new housing development,
traffic counts, water meter hook-ups,
employment agency counts, the
unemployment rate, job growth,
and public school enrollment.
Additionally, BRAC has regularly
updated a measure of the
‘transient population’ using
sources such as hotel room
counts, filled hospital beds,
Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) trailer park counts,
school enrollment data, and temporary
shelter counts. This transient population
estimate was not only important in quantifying
the initial temporary surge of population growth,
02
The Capital Region
can expect healthy,
moderate population
and job growth of 1.5
to 2.5 percent.
but also the dynamic settling of this group into new
permanent residences in the Baton Rouge area, to other
homes in the U.S., or to New Orleans. Using
this technique, BRAC estimated that
the Capital Region had permanently
absorbed an estimated 50,000
to 75,000 new residents by the
beginning of 2006. In 2007,
BRAC estimates that population
growth settled at an aggressive
rate of 2 to 3 percent, well-
above the 10-year pre-hurricane
normal rate of growth. In the first
quarter of 2008, BRAC announced
at its annual economic outlook
event, The Stanford Group Company’s
Baton Rouge Area Economic Forum:
Insights for Action, that the Capital Region can
expect healthy, moderate population and job growth of
1.5 to 2.5 percent.

The table below compares several
current population estimates for
the years 2005 through 2007. BRAC and
Claritas estimates first attempt to capture an
immediate post-hurricane “peak” in population
that settled down with a loss of population in 2006 of
10 to 15 thousand and 35 thousand persons, respectively.
In 2006, most estimates were within +/- 10,000 persons of the
BRAC 2006 population estimate of 772,000 to 792,000, although
estimates varied widely from the more conservative 767,000 US Census
estimate to the more aggressive 797,000 Claritas estimate. Growth patterns
diverge among the estimates significantly in the year 2007. For example, Claritas
shows a consistent out-flow of population from the Baton Rouge area starting in early
2006 which reduces the number of residents to 771,000 in 2007. The other two reported
estimates, US Census and BRAC, show growth from 2006 levels but at two notably different rates,
0.4 percent and ~2.0 percent.
The most accurate test of all estimates and eventual resolution on the population debate will come with the 2010
Decennial Census survey. However, recognizing the importance of reliable, up-to-date data in the Baton Rouge
business community, BRAC will continue to provide its population and job estimates as an additional resource
derived from rich local data and continuously adjusted according to local economic indicators.
Job growth in the Baton Rouge area bucks national trends.
As the population has increased, nonfarm employment
has also increased in the Capital Region. Total first quarter
nonfarm employment for the Baton Rouge MSA was
369,700, roughly 4,700 (or 1.3 percent) over first quarter
2007 levels. Goods producing employment in the first
quarter 2008 rose by 1,300 from the same period in 2007
while service providing employment grew by 3,400 jobs
over the same time frame. First quarter 2008 labor force
estimates show slight growth (850) over first quarter
2007 revised estimates, with most growth attributable
to new unemployed job-seekers, whose numbers grew
1,090 over first quarter 2007 levels. In the first quarter
Q1 2008
03

{ T H E E C O N O M Y }
2008, East Baton Rouge Parish maintained the second
largest labor force of any parish in the state. Additionally,
unemployment in the Baton Rouge area has remained at
historic lows and consistently below state and national
averages.
For the past ten years, job growth in the Capital Region
has averaged 5,400 new jobs per year. The years 2005 and
2006 were banner growth years, with revised estimates
showing new job growth of 10,400 from 2004 to 2005 and
04
+ Jerry Campbell, The Advocate
+ Carey Chauvin, EBR Parish Department of Public Works
+ Lance D’Armond, Gerry Lane Buick-GMC
+ Todd Denton, Mall of Louisiana
+ Marianne Frazee, Frazee Recruiting
+ Hays Owen, Baton Rouge Water Company
8,100 from 2005 to 2006. Originally, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics estimated 2007 average annual job growth at
7,500 new jobs for the Baton Rouge area. Recent first
quarter revisions have pushed this number up to 9,900
new jobs, a number better-aligned with the aggressive
growth patterns observed from 2004 to 2006. Further
analysis conducted by BRAC projects that the Baton
Rouge area economy will continue to add 5,000 to 10,000
new jobs each year until 2010, a rate slightly above pre-
storm levels.
Indicators signal economic stability for the Baton Rouge area moving forward.
The economic distress due to national economic
slowdown now experienced by many in the United States
has not strongly affected the Baton Rouge area’s economic
situation. Although indicators such as employment and
housing are showing slower growth, they maintain pre-
hurricane growth levels. Additionally, retail spending in
the first quarter of 2008 has increased by 5 percent since
the same period in 2007.
Even as single family home sales have slowed, growth
in the apartment/condo segment has continued. One
indication of this is the overall increase in metered
water accounts in the first quarter 2008 compared to
the same period a year ago despite slowing new home
builds, a phenomenon industry leaders attribute to a
steady volume of new apartment/condo-owned metered
accounts. Active metered accounts rose 3 percent in the
combined areas of East Baton Rouge Parish, the City of
Baton Rouge, and Ascension Parish. Continued consumer
confidence remains relatively consistent compared to
C O N T R I B U TO R S
the same quarter last year as well, evidenced by gaming
collections at Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge—with
nearly $34.8 million in revenue during the first quarter,
virtually unchanged from the $34.9 million the riverboat
collected during the first three months of 2007.
Sales tax collections in East Baton Rouge Parish have
increased by almost 5 percent during the first two
months of the year. Businesses across the parish
have collected nearly $24 million in taxes, excluding
vehicle sales, according to figures from the City-Parish
Department of Finance. Activity has increased the
most in the unincorporated areas of the parish, with
collections increasing by 8.5 percent. However, sales in
the incorporated areas accounted for the biggest portion
of tax revenues, $14.3 million. For the same time period,
Ascension Parish sales tax revenues increased 6 percent
and Livingston Parish increased 8 percent, respectively.
The remainder of the regional parishes had sales tax
collections consistent with the previous quarter.
+ Mark Phillips, Regions Bank
+ Rene Ragas, Our Lady of the Lake RMC
+ Dr. Loren Scott, Loren C. Scott & Associates, Inc.
+ Steve Thomas, EBR Parish Department of Finance
+ Louisiana Department of Labor

{ O U R P R O G R E S S }
{ O U R P R O G R E S S }
Retain and Expand Existing Businesses
1
Recognizing that about 75% of future job growth
in our region will come from existing businesses, BRAC has developed a
robust business retention and expansion program.
In the first quarter, BRAC began its target industry visitations in the
Capital Region. To date, 10 on-site visitations have been completed
and two expansion projects are in the works.
Attract New Business to Our Region
2
A core function of any effective regional
economic development program is to aggressively sell the region’s
assets to high-potential business prospects.
At the end of Q1, we had 24 ‘Clas

The Campaign for a Greater Baton Rouge is comprised
of seven strategies that work together to drive
economic development in the Baton Rouge area.
Each issue of Catalyst features an update on our
progress on each of these seven strategies as well
as a preview of upcoming goals and activities.
SUmmaRy Of BUSINESS DEvElOPmENT PROSPECT aCTIvITy
Type
2008 Project Wins
Prospects: Class A
Prospects: Class B
Prospects: Class C
Current
Quarter
Project Count Job Count (Estimates)
Change from
Prior Quarter
Current
Quarter
Q1 2008
Change from
Prior Quarter
4 N/A 210 N/A
24 -4 4,737 -908
19 0 2,844 -1,221
10 +1 N/A N/A
Prospects: TOTAL 53 -3 7,581 -2,129
*Numbers reflect most recent information at time of publication.
PROSPECTS: CLASS A
Prospect is actively engaged
in dialogue with BRAC or
the Capital Region has been
specifically identified/selected
to present sites through LED.
PROSPECTS: CLASS B
Company/consultant
has requested information
on multiple states/regions;
company identity is
frequently unknown.
PROSPECTS: CLASS C
Company has not requested
any information, but based on
tip/research, may represent a
potential opportunity.
07

{ O U R P R O G R E S S }
CMC CAPITOL STEEL
15 Jobs @ $16/hour, $7MM Capital Investment
CMC Capitol Steel, a local rebar manufacturer, is expanding
operations on Choctaw Drive near Florida Blvd. BRAC uncovered
CMC’s expansion aspirations as part of its regional business retention
and expansion program. BRAC provided assistance with the incentive
process as well as some labor issues by partnering with the local
Workforce Investment Board (WIB).
“[The BRAC] team was very helpful as we began our expansion efforts.
Without [their] assistance we would not have known about the many
programs and incentives that were available to us. Additionally, we
wouldn’t have known how to access them. We are grateful not only
because of the incentives and dollars [they] helped CMC Capitol
Steel save, but also because we felt like we had a partner in the
process that we could go to for help. Thank you for seeking us out.”
Angela Chemin
Controller, CMC Capitol Steel
BATON ROUGE COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY
113 Jobs @ $26/hour, $178MM Capital Investment
Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company is expanding their local beverage
manufacturing facility that will add three additional product lines to their new
location. The new expanded location will become the Southeastern distribution
center for the three new lines (Minute Maid, Vitamin Water, and Powerade). BRAC
assisted with the expansion by:
• working with DOTD to address traffic congestion and red light synchronization
• facilitating acquisition of $1.4 million in EDAP funding from LED to support two
new water wells that Baton Rouge Coca-Cola needs in order to expand
• providing insight on local Enterprise Zone incentives
“We approached BRAC in the early planning stages of our project and from the onset,
they offered their full resources to assist with local, state, and federal authorities.
Their leadership and support continues today well into the construction phase of
the new Baton Rouge Coca-Cola facility. BRAC recently organized and facilitated
meetings with city and state officials to assist with the potential expansion
of our project. Because of their leadership we are now pursuing local and state
incentives that will put us in position to accelerate our expansion. It has been a
great partnership.”
Darian Chustz
President, Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company
08
The BRaC team was very
helpful as we began our
expansion efforts.
BRaC recently
organized and
facilitated meetings
with city and state officials
to assist with the potential
expansion of our project.

SChROEDER-WILLIAMS LUMBER COMPANY
40 Jobs, $325,000 Capital Investment
Owned by two veteran lumber manufacturers, Schroeder-
Williams Lumber Company is a start-up that will
manufacture finger-jointed studs. The company will locate
off of Airline and Choctaw. After receiving the lead for
this project from LED, BRAC assisted Schroeder-Williams
with all incentives, as well as permitting information, sign
ordinance laws, and tax information.
“Schroeder-Williams Lumber Company is pleased to
announce the beginning of operations in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana within the next few weeks. The Baton Rouge
Area Chamber and LED were pivotal in our decision to set
up our plant here.”
Joe Williams
Schroeder-Williams Lumber Company
APPONE
42 Jobs @ $28/hour, $2MM Capital Investment
AppOne is an Internet-based company that connects independent
automobile dealers with lenders. BRAC worked with AppOne on
every stage of the incentive process.
“The Baton Rouge Area Chamber was tremendously helpful
to us in assessing the incentives we should apply for and in
completing the appropriate incentives application. BRAC’s staff
is professional, well informed, and committed to the economic
growth of the Greater Baton Rouge area.”
W. Lee Domingue
CEO, WKFS/AppOne
Q1 2008
09

{ O U R P R O G R E S S }
3Develop a National Marketing Program
To be successful, it is essential that we market the
Baton Rouge area nationally and internationally to decision-makers
involved with business relocations and expansions.
In Q1, BRAC wrapped
In Q1, BRAC wrapped up work on two matching grants from LED
totaling $170,000 for the promotion of the Baton Rouge area as up work on two matching
a destination for digital media companies. The activities funded by these
grants allowed BRAC to develop tradeshow and marketing materials to
support the Baton Rouge Area Digital Industries Consortium (BRADIC).
The materials developed include a tradeshow booth, giveaway items
featuring the BRADIC logo, two brochures promoting the region, a
website, advertising, and a viewfinder with accompanying reel
that features exciting images of the digital media industry in
the Baton Rouge area. The colorful viewfinders were packaged
and shipped to over 100 digital media company prospects,
identified by BRADIC staff, around the country and internationally.
BRAC and other BRADIC partners are aggressively pursuing the digital
media sector as a growth industry for the Capital Region and are working
to attract innovators, established companies, and startup firms to our region.
BRAC’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
10
+ Ascension Economic Development Corporation
+ Office of the Mayor-President, City of Baton Rouge/
Parish of East Baton Rouge
+ East Feliciana Economic Development District
+ Iberville Chamber of Commerce
+ Livingston Economic Development Council
+ Greater Pointe Coupee Chamber of Commerce
+ St. Helena Parish Economic Development Committee
+ West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce
+ West Feliciana Community Development Foundation
grants from LED totaling
$170,000 for the promotion
of the Baton Rouge area as
a destination for digital
media companies.

4Create a Robust Business
Intelligence Capability
Site-selection consultants, real estate
executives, and other business decisionmakers
depend on BRAC to provide detailed
information about our region and the
regional economy.
On January 30, BRAC hosted the Baton Rouge Area
Economic Forum 2008: Insights for Action, providing
national, regional, and statewide perspectives on the
Capital Region’s economy. BRAC’s projections were
based on an extensive survey of regional business
leaders co-authored with the Greater Baton Rouge
Business Report, interviews with key experts and leaders
from across the region, and national economic reports.
The event was sponsored by Stanford Group Company.
A complete report of the findings presented, as well
as a downloadable broadcast of the event, are available
at brac.org.
6Create a Robust Public Policy Capability
At the same time that BRAC is promoting the Baton Rouge area to businesses
looking to relocate or expand, we are working with business and government leaders to address our area’s
weaknesses.
In January, BRAC publicly announced its 2008 priorities and positions on major economic development
issues in Designing the Creative Capital of the South: Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s 2008 Agenda. The
document, available at brac.org, represents the extensive work conducted through BRAC’s 2007 Issue Council
program and 2008 business planning effort. BRAC continuously advocates for its priority issues, with particular Q1
focus on top legislative priorities.
Kristy McKearn joined the BRAC team in the first quarter as BRAC’s Senior Vice President of Governmental
Affairs. Kristy, who most recently worked for Baker Donelson, has twice worked with BRAC on a contractual
basis and brings a wealth of experience in advocacy and public policy.
BRAC was extensively involved in monitoring and advocating for its top priorities in each of the two
special legislative sessions called by Governor Bobby Jindal this spring. For more information on
BRAC’s activities and victories in these two sessions, see the article on page 13.
During the first quarter, BRAC hosted several meetings with regional leaders to discuss
BRAC’s priorities for the Capital Region. From regional Chamber leaders and
legislators to local officials, BRAC has worked diligently to build relationships
across parish lines. In addition, BRAC continues to advocate for community
leaders to fill openings on important boards and commissions throughout
the region.
Create a Special
Opportunity Fund
5The ability to react quickly and flexibly to
economic development opportunities that
arise—both to help existing businesses expand
and to bring new businesses to the Baton
Rouge area—is critical to the success of our efforts.
In the first quarter, BRAC used the Special Opportunity
Fund to option property in East Feliciana Parish for
a business development prospect. Project Dwelling,
a modular home manufacturer, is a Class A prospect
with 150 jobs considering a move to Clinton, Louisiana.
More information about this exciting project win will be
available in the Q2 issue of Catalyst.
Q1 2008
11

{ O U R P R O G R E S S }
Launch a Regional Learning Community Initiative
7
Our economic development efforts rest on our ability to develop and sustain
high-quality educational institutions and to train individuals capable of making a contribution to
the community.
BRAC endorsed the East Baton Rouge Parish School System tax renewal which successfully passed in
March. BRAC has secured a role in the creation of the new career and technical high school that will
be built with the tax renewal dollars and has been assured that the business community will be a partner
in the process.
12
On March 12, 2008, EPA significantly strengthened its
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level
ozone and revised the 8-hour “primary” ozone standard
to a level of 0.075 parts per million (ppm). Under the new
.075 ppm standard, 345 monitored counties in the U.S.
would be in non-attainment based on 2004-2006 data.
Multiple Louisiana parishes covering the Shreveport,
Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans metropolitan
areas would likely be in non-attainment. States must make
recommendations to EPA no later than March 2009 for
areas to be designated attainment, non-attainment,
and unclassifiable, and EPA will issue final designations
of areas by March 2010.
In addition to changing the 8-hour standard, EPA is
changing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to reflect the new
primary standard. The AQI is EPA’s color-coded tool
designed to inform the public about daily air pollution
levels in their community. Louisiana Department of
Environmental Quality has predicted a significant increase
in the number of “unhealthy” days, not due to poorer air
quality, but due to a change in the standard.
BRAC staff will continue to work with the Baton Rouge
Clean Air Coalition and the Business and Industry SIP Task
Force to review impacts of the new standard and evaluate
potential impacts on business activity in our region.

ThE lEgISlaTIvE SEEDS PlaNTED By BRaC laST yEaR aRE
alREaDy PRODUCINg a BOUNTIfUl haRvEST Of REfORm
aND PROgRESS. aND, afTER TwO SPECIal lEgISlaTIvE
SESSIONS CallED ThIS SPRINg By gOvERNOR BOBBy JINDal,
ThE fORECaST IS ExCEllENT fOR CONTINUED gROwTh.
13

14
LLast year when BRAC spearheaded the
The sun conTinued To shine on BRAc’s legislATive pRioRiTies duRing
The second speciAl session cAlled in MARch By The goveRnoR.
With BRAC’s urging and oversight, great strides were
made for the elimination of unorthodox business
taxes. Victories include the accelerated phase-out of
state sales taxes on manufacturing machinery and
equipment; accelerated phase-out of the corporate
franchise tax on borrowed capital; elimination of certain
sales taxes on capital investment, and the lowering of
state sales and use tax rates by one percentage point
With BRAC’s urging
and oversight, great
strides were made for the
elimination of unorthodox
business taxes.
on electricity, natural gas, and water and steam; a state
income tax deduction for private and home school
elementary and secondary education tuition and fees,
including uniforms, textbooks, and school supplies; and
exempting from state income taxes the 2008 Economic
Stimulus Act federal income tax rebates.
formation of LA Ethics 1, the goal was
“transforming Louisiana into a national
model for governmental ethics laws and
enforcement.” Just months later, that goal is
becoming reality. The first special session
of the Louisiana Legislature in February
Other noteworthy accomplishments of the second
special session of 2008 include reauthorization of
Louisiana’s participation in the federal New Markets Tax
Credit Program with the provision for an additional $50
million in credits, and the dedication of certain revenues
to transportation projects.
of 2008 was a triumph for the goals
LA Ethics 1 shared by Governor Jindal.
The comprehensive package of ethics
reforms passed overwhelmingly,
and the nation is taking notice. The
national Center for Public Integrity
reports, “The law earned 99 out of a
possible 100 points on a survey used by the Center to rank public disclosure requirements for state legislators
and puts Louisiana’s law on par with the nation’s best financial disclosure laws.”
BRAC funding priorities also saw many victories in the
second special session’s supplemental appropriation
of $1.1 billion in one-time surplus funds. Funding for
statewide transportation needs, including major projects
to relieve congestion in the Baton Rouge area, are a high
priority for BRAC, and the session included almost
$530 million in funding for Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development (DOTD) projects.
LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC),
another BRAC priority because of its value and potential
as a driver of economic diversification and expansion,
received an additional $50 million in appropriations.
Other important and prudent appropriations included
investment in repairs to higher education infrastructure,
ports, coastal restoration and management, and
payments to the Unfunded Accrued Liabilities/
Retirement Systems (see chart on page 16).

Key Improvements
to Louisiana’s GovernmentaL ethics Laws
Passed in the First sPecial legislative session
area oF Law
FinanciaL
DiscLosure
conFLicts
oF interest
Lobbyist
reGuLation
FreeDom oF
inFormation
improvinG
eDucation &
enForcement
combatinG
FrauD & abuse
campaiGn
Laws
Source: LA Ethics 1; BRAC analysis
LeGisLation passeD in 2008 speciaL session…
Created a three-tiered financial disclosure structure for statewide elected officials,
legislators, and certain appointed and locally elected officials.
Established new restrictions for certain public officials contracting with state
government. Other legislation repealed the sporting and cultural event ticket
exception and instituted new rules for legislative recusal.
Instituted a $50, per occasion, food and drink cap for spending on public servants.
In addition, new reporting requirements were created and restrictions put in place
to prevent the lobbying of staff and their family members.
Prohibited the use of counter letters to circumvent the Code of Ethics and required
the posting of a governmental spending database on the Internet.
Provided for additional ethics training requirements, established new guidelines for
Board of Ethics composition, and created an Adjudicatory Board of administrative
law judges to hear ethics proceedings investigated by the Board.
Provided additional protection for whistleblowers, established the state Office
of Inspector General (OIG) in statute, and increased statutory authority for local
OIGs and ethics entities.
Created new guidelines for electioneering communications, transition teams, and
electronic filing. Additional legislation required disclosure by 527 entities and the
timely payment of ethics fines by candidates.
15

– cOmPOnents Of –
$1.1 Billion Supplemental Spending Bill
Which Address OngOing BrAc PriOrities
16
$ miLLions
in spenDinG
proposeD
hiGher eD $75
uaL payments $60
penninGton $50
ports $42
other $43
DotD $530*
coastaL
restoration $300
*DOTD PROPOSED SPENDINg
$100 mIllION

looKing ahead
On the eve of the 2008 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature, another of BRAC’s
priorities took a big step forward when Governor Jindal announced his intended
overhaul of the state’s approach to workforce development. Jindal called his series
of bills “the single most important issue” going into the session. For the past two
years, the number one concern of area business leaders has been the availability
of qualified employees. Reform of the current systems could go a long way to
addressing the concerns.
Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret identified the
deficiencies in developing and training a qualified labor force while President
and CEO of BRAC. “We believe the system we have today is essentially designed to
fail,” Moret said in support of the governor’s legislative initiatives.
For the past
two years, the
number one
concern of area
business leaders
has been the
availability
of qualified
employees.
a NUmBER Of PROPOSED BIllS SEEk TO aCCOmPlISh whOlESalE ChaNgES, INClUDINg:
• Reorganization of the Department of Labor and renaming it the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
• Coordination of worker training programs across state agencies.
• Contracting training services with regional boards that would have control over federal funds
for worker training.
• Putting business leaders in charge of local workforce investment boards.
• Changing forecasting reports to include anticipated demand for jobs by occupation and industry.
• Reformulating state spending for community and technical college students in order to develop a
workforce that will fill the needs of potential employers.
• Developing Centers of Excellence at community colleges to focus on key industries.
• Investing $10 million in the next year for new training funds to match market demand for certain jobs.
While workforce development will be a major focus in
the regular session, BRAC will be equally busy advancing
a variety of issues important to Louisiana’s future. LSU
must continue its progress to becoming a premier
public research university, and BRAC is working with
the university on legislation that will enable it to grow
its student enrollment while improving its financial self-
sufficiency and standing in the academic community.
The potential of PBRC is unlimited, and securing
additional funding enhancements is being vigorously
pursued. A realistic and sustainable solution for
transportation infrastructure is being advanced,
including the strategic use of tolls. Bold public education
reforms are needed to increase student achievement,
and numerous opportunities are possible to take the
state’s business development efforts to the next level.
While much has been achieved in the special sessions,
there is still much left to do in the regular session. BRAC’s
Governmental Affairs team and Legislative Committee
are diligently tracking hundreds of bills that can directly
impact the business community. As with every crop, there
will be a need to weed out some things, to nurture others,
and to plan ahead for additional fruits of progress.
17

{ F E A T U R E A R T I C L E }
18
He’s young, enthusiastic, and has a passion
for the Capital Region. He understands
the art of the deal, what it takes to
recruit companies, and the importance of
reforming Louisiana’s workforce systems.
He’s constructed and administered public
policy for two governors and worked
in entrepreneurial environments (not
necessarily at the same time). He’s Adam
Knapp, BRAC’s new President and CEO.

A Lake Charles native, Knapp left Louisiana to attend
college and later worked for Accenture, a global
technology consulting firm, until 2001, when he made
the decision to move back to use his abilities to advance
his home state. Since returning, he has worked in
multiple policy and economic development roles in
state government. As Policy Director for Louisiana
Economic Development (LED) and Chief of Staff and
Deputy Director of Louisiana Recovery Authority
(LRA), he has worked tirelessly for the advancement of
Louisiana’s communities. Now as BRAC’s new leader,
Knapp is committed to fulfilling the promises of The
Campaign for a Greater Baton Rouge and transforming
our region into the Creative Capital of the South.
“We are very excited and proud to have Adam join the
BRAC team as our new President and CEO,” said Jim
Ellis, BRAC’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We
had an extraordinary caliber of applicants from around
the country, but Adam stood out due to his economic
development background, his private and public
sector experience, and his vision for maintaining
BRAC’s position as the leading economic development
organization in the Gulf South region.”
“Adam is the story we all talk about,” he says. “He’s that
bright young Louisiana native who leaves the state to go
to college and an exciting job, and then returns home to
Louisiana to make a meaningful contribution. Adam has
all of the skill sets, knowledge, and enthusiasm that will
be required to be successful in this challenging role.”
ADAM KNAPP
Just minutes after getting the job as President and CEO, Adam was debriefing with Board members
and staff about the opportunities and challenges for BRAC and the fulfillment of The Campaign for a
Greater Baton Rouge. “BRAC has built a foundation for economic progress,” Knapp notes, “but there’s
so much more to do. My goal is to execute the Campaign’s agenda in order to achieve the things we
are committed to as a community. We are still in the early stages of transforming our region into the
Creative Capital of the South.”
As BRAC passes the halfway point of the five-year Campaign, it continues to make significant strides on
each of the aggressive strategies outlined for investors in 2006. Knapp sees BRAC’s early successes as the
prologue to an increasingly successful transformation of the Capitol Region.
With more than 1,700 jobs created in 2006-2007, BRAC’s business retention, expansion, and recruitment
activities have spurred millions of dollars in capital investment and caught the attention of executives and
site-selectors across the country. Its national marketing efforts have generated a project pipeline that has
doubled in size with many projects in serious negotiation.
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19

Knapp has an in-depth understanding of successful business development
programs from his time as Policy Director for LED and Governors
Foster and Blanco. He played an integral role in landing expansions and
new business from Union Tank Car, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems,
Albemarle Corporation, and Bollinger Shipyards. He also understands the
role policy initiatives play in supporting economic development efforts. He
spearheaded dynamic policy reforms, including the creation of the state
R&D tax credit and the Angel Investor Tax Credit, worked on rewriting the
Quality Jobs Program, developed and strengthened the state’s successful film
and video incentives, and designed Louisiana’s first “Deal Closing Fund.”
“BRAC is doing everything right when it comes to business development,”
Knapp says. “With strong regional partnerships, excellent site-selector
relationships, and a remarkable team, we are well-poised for even more
success in the future.” With a goal of 1,200 new jobs in 2008, BRAC continues
to market the Capital Region nationally and internationally.
BRAC’s leadership in advancing public policies that look to improve the Baton
Rouge area was one of the main reasons Knapp found this job attractive. “I
can’t think of another organization that has been more thorough or more
vocal on issues impacting the future of the Capital Region, and often the
entire state, than the Baton Rouge Area Chamber,” he says. “I’m excited to
continue that strong track record for leading economic development in the
Baton Rouge area.”
Over the past two years, BRAC has released analysis and supported issues
ranging from regional airport options and LSU institutional advancement to
governmental ethics laws and public education reform. It has continued to
articulate the need for more funding for transportation and the Pennington
Biomedical Research Center, the elimination of unorthodox business taxes,
and the reform of Louisiana’s workforce systems. BRAC has emerged as an
authority on regional and statewide issues that will transform and grow
the region.
“The next three years will be an important time for us to continue to provide
leadership in these areas as well as on important issues like technology
transfer and commercialization, and private sector entrepreneurship,” notes
Knapp. “We must remain diligent in our efforts to secure a highly developed
economic future.”
Knapp’s knowledge of the lawmaking process bodes
well for BRAC’s advocacy agenda. His work in the
Governor’s office, at LED, and LRA has allowed him to
develop legislative policy and strategy, pass bills,
create and implement interagency strategic
direction, and form strong relationships
at the local, state, and federal level. Most
notably, Knapp made a significant
contribution to Louisiana’s rebuild
following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
“It was both a challenge and a privilege to
serve our state after the storms,” Knapp
says. “My position allowed me to help secure
funds from Washington for our extraordinary
needs, lead the team that set policy direction for the
recovery, advance safer rebuilding strategies, and
implement creative housing strategies to address
chronic poverty.”
20
Knapp’s
knowledge of
the lawmaking
process bodes
well for BRAC’s
advocacy agenda.
With strong
regional partnerships,
excellent site-selector
relationships, and
a remarkable team,
we are well-poised for
even more success
in the future.
Knapp considers his most recent management role at
LRA to be excellent preparation for his new position
at BRAC. “It’s a joy to work with a very talented team
of committed staff and Board members who are
executing on a bold vision. The dynamic at LRA
was much the same. To me, it is exciting to
join an organization with integrity, broad
community support, and strategic
leadership from its Board of Directors
and investors. The excitement for the
future of our region is palpable. This is a
historic time for our state, and the Capital
Region is well-poised for success.”
Ellis, who was chairman of the CEO search
committee, knows that the organization found the
right person for the job. “BRAC has been phenomenally
successful,” he says. “Adam Knapp gets that. But the
BEST of BRAC is ahead of us.”

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTORS
The Campaign for a Greater Baton Rouge
CHAIRMAN’S COUNCIL
ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF $100,000+ (Five-year total pledge of at least $500,000)
All Star Automotive Group • Baton Rouge Area Foundation / Commercial Properties Realty Trust • Credit Bureau of Baton
Rouge Foundation • ExxonMobil • Georgia-Pacific • Louisiana State University System • Mortgage Finance Authority •
Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF $50,000+ (Five-year total pledge of at least $250,000)
Baton Rouge General Medical Center • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana • Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, L.L.P. •
Capital One • Citadel Broadcasting Company • Clear Channel Radio • Entergy • Greater Baton Rouge Business Report •
Guaranty Group • Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P. • JPMorgan Chase • Kean, Miller,
Hawthorne, D’Armond, McCowan & Jarman L.L.P. • LUBA Workers’ Comp • Ochsner Health Center Baton Rouge /
Ochsner Medical Center Baton Rouge • Phelps Dunbar, L.L.P. • Regions Bank • Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, L.L.P •
The Business Investment GROUP • The Shaw Group Inc. • Turner Industries Group • Whitney National Bank
AMBASSADOR COUNCIL
ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF $25,000+ (Five-year total pledge of at least $125,000)
Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company • Baton Rouge Water Company • Brookwood Properties, L.L.C. •
Community Coffee • Dow Chemical Company • EATEL / SunShine Pages • Greater Baton Rouge Association of
REALTORS® • Hancock Bank • Hollywood Casino • JTS • Lamar Advertising Company • Latter & Blum, Inc. / C.J.
Brown Realtors • MAPP Construction, L.L.C. • Mockler Beverage Company • Wampold Companies • Woman’s Hospital
CORPORATE COUNCIL
ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF $15,000+ (Five-year total pledge of at least $75,000)
Adams & Reese Law Firm • Amedisys, Inc. • Antares Technology Solutions • Area Wholesale Tire Company • Atmos
Energy • Cox Communications • Innovative Emergency Management, Inc. • Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation •
Merrill Lynch • WHLC Architecture • Womack Construction
POLICY COUNCIL
ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF $7,500+ (Five-year total pledge of at least $37,500)
Advanced Office Systems, Inc. • American Gateway Bank • Cajun Constructors • Faulk & Winkler, L.L.C. • H&E
Equipment Services, L.L.C. • I.T. by DESIGN • Kleinpeter Farms L.L.C. • La Capitol Federal Credit Union • Louisiana
Technology Park • Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center • McDonald’s of Baton Rouge • South Baton Rouge Journal •
The Louisiana Network, Inc. / Tiger Rag • United Health Care Group, Inc.
SUPPORTING INVESTOR
ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF $2,500+ (Five-year total pledge of at least $12,500)
{ 2006–2010}
Acme Refrigeration of Baton Rouge, Inc. • Advantage Capital Partners • Armstrong Relocation • Ascension
Economic Development Corporation • Associated Grocers • Babcock Law Firm, L.L.C. • BancorpSouth • Baton Rouge
Duplicating Products • Benny’s Car Wash • EMCO Technologies • Executone of Central Louisiana, Inc. • Felder’s Collision
Parts, Inc. • GoodPeople • Grace and Hebert • GreenScreenTV • Gulf Coast BIDCO • Harmony Center • Holiday Inn Select
Executive Center • Hollingsworth Richards Automotive Group • Iberia Bank • Jacobs Engineering • Johnson Controls •
Kean’s The Cleaner • KPMG LLP • Kurz & Hebert Commercial Real Estate, Inc. • Lee Griffin • Lee Michaels • Lipsey’s •
MidSouth Bank • Object 9 • OMNI BANK • Piccadilly Restaurants • Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers • Schooley Mitchell •
SJB Group, LLC • Southpoint Volkswagen • SSA Consultants • Stanford Group Company • Star Service • State Bank &
Trust Company • Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, LLC • The Celtic Group • The Livingston Parish News • West Feliciana
Community Development Foundation • WETCO Restaurant Group • Wright & Percy Insurance
BRAC also receives significant funding support from Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the City of Baton
Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge.
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