2010/2011 - Baton Rouge Area Chamber

Strategy
1
Job
Creation
BRAC continues to proactively work to attract
businesses to the Baton Rouge area and seek out
existing companies in the region who are in a
position to expand in order to create job growth
and boost average salaries for the residents of the
nine-parish region. 2011 proved successful through
job creation and payroll numbers that exceeded
established targets for the year as well as several
high-profile wins.
Launched
a regional
brand for the
Baton Rouge area
“Creative Capital
of the South”
949
NEW JOBS
created
$44
MILLION
in new payroll
$47K
AVERAGE
annual wage
$244
MILLION
in capital investment
Created
an award-winning
video promoting
the Creative
Capital of
the South
Strategy
4
BIG WINS!
INVESTOR R.O. I.
Ormet
Bitraider
EA
(Electronic Arts)
Impala
Global
Branding
Developed
brand website:
www.creativecapital
ofthesouth.com
243JOBS
$20MM
Capital Investment
22 JOBS
$500,000
Capital Investment
200JOBS
$30MM
Capital Investment
100JOBS
$100MM
Capital Investment
Promoted
the brand through
social media,
presentations,
and a three-month
media campaign
In 2011, the Creative Capital of
the South regional brand was
o�cially launched. This campaign
will help position the Baton
Rouge area as an innovative,
highly distinctive market that
boasts an eclectic mixture of
cultural destinations and thriving
industries. The campaign aims to
accentuate the creativity that
defines this region through
examples of entrepreneurship,
innovation, culture, research and
development, and the arts.
the creative capital agenda 2011
Strategy
2
Strategy
5
BRAC participated in a trip to
Brazil with GNO, Inc. to attract
foreign direct investment.
International
Development
BRAC’s 5 Year Plan
Job
Creation
Global
Branding
2011 was the inaugural year of The Creative
Capital Agenda, BRAC’s five-year strategic plan
for the Capital Region’s continued national and
global competitiveness.
International
Development
CORE STRATEGIES
Talent
Development
Talent
Development
Bringing high-wage jobs associated
with international business to the
area will build a global reputation
for the Capital Region. Through the
international development program
in 2011, BRAC worked to attract
foreign direct investment (FDI)
to the region.
Entrepreneurship
and Innovation
Regional
Competitiveness
Our region is enjoying a great period of economic development success. A sense of economic
momentum is increasing and each parish’s successes are helping the other parishes make
gains. In order to stay ahead, BRAC plans to move forward by following the advice of author
Michael Korda, who said that “[o]ne way to keep momentum going is to have constantly
greater goals.” Each year, the organization strives for greater things to keep the economic
development momentum of the region going.
BRAC launched the Regional
Relocation Resources program and
piloted the concept by assisting a
company in securing a CEO.
Strategy
3
Strategy
6
Entrepreneurship
and Innovation
In 2011, through the launch of RIO, the Baton Rouge area saw tremendous energy building
in support of the entrepreneurial community. BRAC, in conjunction with Research Park
Corporation, continues to be the driving force behind regional innovation e�orts with a
goal of aligning the various incubators and innovation assets and assisting entrepreneurs
in creating high-growth companies.
Launched
the Regional
Innovation
Organization
(RIO) to support
entrepreneurship
and innovation.
Organized
the first
Baton Rouge
Entrepreneurship
Week (BREW).
Awarded $429,000
grant from the United States Economic Development
Administration to partner with JumpStart America.
Regional
Competitiveness
White paper on Southern University aimed at improving student achievement
Organized the Blue Ribbon Commission for creating reliable mass transit
Part of East Baton Rouge Parish School System strategic plan
A region’s
competitiveness
determines its
attractiveness as a
Secured passage of the Angel Investor Tax Credit
place to do business
and its ability to attract
and retain firms. By working
on key public policy reforms,
Secured reform legislation, LA Grad Act 2.0
BRAC is able to enhance the
competitiveness of the region, which
encourages companies to expand and
Extended the Digital Media Tax Credit
relocate in the Capital Region. This
ultimately boosts personal income and
quality of life for all residents.
BATON ROUGE
AREA