Tag: Louisiana Business

National Awards Highlight South Louisiana’s Impact

Businesses and nonprofit organizations across South Louisiana were recently recognized with national awards for professional excellence, innovation, and community impact, with honors announced across New Orleans and Baton Rouge. As per this article from Nola.com, these recognitions reflected achievements in higher education, healthcare leadership, law, the arts, and civic development, highlighting the region’s growing influence at both the state and national levels. These honors, awarded by respected national organizations and industry publications, underscored how institutions and leaders in Louisiana continued to shape conversations far beyond the state’s borders.

In New Orleans, national attention turned toward Tulane University, where biomedical engineering professor J. Quincy Brown was named a 2025 fellow by the National Academy of Inventors. The recognition reflected Brown’s work developing MAGIC-SCAN, a technology designed to provide surgeons with immediate confirmation after cancer surgery that all malignant tissue had been successfully removed. Brown served as the inaugural Mark and Diana Tipton Endowed Professor in Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering and had
accumulated 27 patents over the course of his career. His work also extended beyond academia through the co-founding of Instapath Inc., a cancer imaging company focused on translating laboratory research into real-world medical applications.

Leadership in healthcare was also recognized with national awards when Modern Healthcare magazine named Pete November, president and chief executive officer of Ochsner Health, among the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare of 2025. November assumed the CEO role in 2022 after holding several senior leadership positions within Ochsner, including executive vice president of digital
health, chief financial officer, and chief administrative officer. The recognition highlighted his role in guiding one of the region’s largest healthcare systems through a period of technological expansion, operational growth, and evolving patient care demands.

The New Orleans events and tourism sector earned additional accolades as the Eventex Awards named Elaine Williams, chief commercial officer for the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, to its 2025 Eventex Powerlist of the 50 Most Influential Venue Professionals worldwide. The convention center also received recognition from ConventionSouth magazine, which named the facility among 35 Louisiana winners of its annual Reader’s Choice Awards.
Together, the honors reflected the convention center’s continued importance to Louisiana’s hospitality industry and its role in attracting large-scale events to the region.

Several national awards and professional distinctions were announced across healthcare and the legal field. The American College of Healthcare Executives named Jomel Whittington, president of the AVALA Physician Network, as a fellow, placing him among fewer than 8,700 healthcare executives nationwide to hold the designation. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Bar Foundation announced its 2025 distinguished honorees ahead of its 40th anniversary gala. Judge Dana Douglas of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was selected as distinguished jurist of the year, while Michael
Patterson of Long Law Firm was named distinguished attorney. Monica Hof Wallace of Loyola University New Orleans was recognized as distinguished professor, and retired Judge Freddie Pitcher received the Calogero Justice Award.

In Baton Rouge, recognition spanned education, healthcare, entertainment, and innovation. The Louisiana Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators named Brittany Terrio, director of financial aid at River Parishes Community College, as its 2025 Woman of the Year. Terrio was honored during the organization’s conference in November and was also elected as its second
vice president, reflecting her leadership and service within Louisiana’s higher education community.

Community-focused initiatives were also highlighted when Louisiana Healthcare Connections awarded a total of $12,000 in grants to six organizations working to build healthier communities. Grant recipients included The Walls Project, Team Capables, WeHelpNOLA, The Highland Center, Hellfighters West Monroe LA Unit, and Gifted Smiles. The funding supported a range of projects aimed at improving access to services, promoting wellness, and strengthening neighborhoods across Louisiana.

Taken together, these honors reflected the depth and diversity of talent across South Louisiana.From medical research and healthcare leadership to legal service, higher education, and the arts, the recognitions demonstrated how institutions and professionals in the region continued to influence innovation, leadership, and community development on a national scale.

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Multi-Billion Dollar Hyundai Manufacturing Boost Headed to Louisiana

A historic economic announcement unfolded in Ascension Parish as officials revealed plans for a monumental $5.8 billion steel plant to be constructed by Hyundai Steel Company. The proposed facility, to be located near Donaldsonville on the west bank of the Mississippi River, marked one of the largest foreign manufacturing investments ever made in Louisiana, as per this article from Houma Today.

The project, part of the 17,000-acre RiverPlex MegaPark industrial zone, was expected to break ground in 2026. Once completed, the ultra-low carbon steel production plant aimed to generate approximately 2.7 million tons of automotive steel annually. The venture stood poised to not only strengthen domestic supply chains but also create a ripple effect of job growth and infrastructure development across the region.

According to estimates from Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the project would create 1,300 direct positions with an average salary of $95,000 per year, while an additional 4,100 indirect jobs would emerge as a result of the plant’s presence—totaling over 5,400 new employment opportunities in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area.

Hyundai Steel, a division of the Hyundai-Kia Motor Group, selected Ascension Parish as a strategic location to serve its growing U.S. customer base. In addition to supplying automotive steel to Hyundai and Kia’s U.S.-based plants, the company announced intentions to expand its services to other American automobile manufacturers.

Hyundai Steel President and CEO Gang Hyun Seo shared in a news release that the company’s decision to invest in an electric arc furnace-based integrated steel mill in the U.S. was driven by long-term goals to contribute to local economies and enhance job creation. He also emphasized the company’s commitment to building strong business partnerships with a broad range of automakers in the future.

Beyond the $5.8 billion initial investment, Hyundai planned to pour an additional $21 billion into its U.S. operations over the following four years. These developments signaled a significant commitment to reshoring industrial capacity and deepening economic ties between South Korea and the United States. To support the transportation demands of the steel plant, Hyundai will partner with the Port of South Louisiana to construct a deepwater dock on the Mississippi River. This would streamline the import of raw materials and the export of finished steel, further enhancing the region’s logistical strengths.

Recognizing the need for a skilled workforce, River Parishes Community College and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System pledged to collaborate with LED’s FastStart program to establish a new workforce training center. This facility would equip local residents with the technical expertise necessary to fill the jobs the plant would bring.

State and local leaders praised the project as a transformational moment for Louisiana. Governor Jeff Landry described Hyundai’s investment as a strong vote of confidence in Louisiana’s labor force and infrastructure, attributing the state’s appeal to recent economic reforms and a pro-business climate. He viewed the announcement as evidence that the state’s manufacturing sector was regaining momentum.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy echoed these sentiments, stating that the push to attract Hyundai was a collaborative effort aimed at reinforcing Louisiana’s role in revitalizing American manufacturing. He expressed satisfaction that the company had chosen Louisiana and acknowledged both state and federal support in making the project a reality.

Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment described the announcement as more than just an economic milestone. He noted that Hyundai’s commitment extended to supporting public safety, enhancing educational institutions, and strengthening community infrastructure. In his words, the project symbolized a generational investment in the wellbeing and future of the entire parish.

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Meta Data Center Sparks Economic Growth in Rural Louisiana

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced its plan to construct a $10 billion artificial intelligence (AI) data center in northeast Louisiana, as per this release from Louisiana Economic Development. This major investment not only solidifies Louisiana’s reputation as a rising hub for technology and innovation but also brings significant economic growth to the region. The project is set to transform Richland Parish by creating thousands of jobs and reinforcing the area’s role in the ever-expanding digital landscape.

The data center is projected to generate over 500 direct jobs in Richland Parish, with Louisiana Economic Development (LED) estimating that more than 1,000 indirect jobs will also be created, bringing the total potential employment impact to 1,500 new jobs. Additionally, the construction phase is expected to employ around 5,000 workers at its peak. The massive facility will be built on the 2,250-acre former Franklin Farm megasite, strategically located between Rayville and Delhi, approximately 30 miles east of Monroe.

Governor Jeff Landry expressed his enthusiasm, calling the project “a new chapter” for Louisiana. He emphasized that Meta’s investment would not only expand the state’s tech industry but also stimulate economic revitalization in rural areas, fostering well-paying job opportunities for Louisiana residents. The governor credited the passage of recent tax reform legislation for creating a business climate that successfully attracted Meta’s investment.

Meta’s investment is expected to stimulate further technological advancements in the region as well as significant economic growth. The company prioritizes sourcing labor and materials locally, which will benefit Louisiana’s industries. Additionally, Meta has pledged to support science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education initiatives, providing valuable skills to local students and workers aiming to enter the digital workforce.

Meta has committed to matching its electricity consumption with 100% clean and renewable energy, working closely with Entergy Louisiana to meet its power needs. Entergy plans to introduce at least 1,500 MW of new renewable energy through its Geaux Zero program to accommodate Meta’s facility. Furthermore, the company has promised to contribute up to $1 million annually to Entergy’s “The Power to Care” program, which assists low-income ratepayers. Entergy will match this contribution, further expanding financial support for those in need.

To ensure a skilled workforce for both the construction and operation of the facility, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) has allocated $250,000 in Workforce Rapid Response funding to Delta Community College. This funding will enhance training programs in construction trades and data center operations. Delta Community College will also collaborate with other institutions experienced in developing curricula tailored to the data center industry.

Construction of the data center is expected to extend through 2030, with site preparations beginning in December. Beyond job creation, Meta will invest over $200 million in infrastructure improvements, including roads and water systems. The project is anticipated to attract additional data center developments, reinforcing Louisiana’s position in the tech industry.

Meta is also set to benefit from Louisiana’s recently established incentive program under Act 730, which offers a rebate on state and local sales and use taxes for qualifying data center equipment purchases or leases. Additionally, the company is expected to participate in Louisiana’s Quality Jobs program, further enhancing the economic benefits for the region.

Meta’s decision to build a $10 billion AI-optimized data center in northeast Louisiana marks a transformative moment for the region. The project will drive economic growth, create thousands of jobs, and position Louisiana as a leader in the digital revolution. With a strong commitment to sustainability, infrastructure development, and workforce education, Meta’s investment will leave a lasting impact on the state’s economy and technological landscape.

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Louisiana Roots, Nationwide Reach: Saia Turns 100

Saia LTL Freight, a titan in the North American transportation industry, has reached an extraordinary milestone—its 100th anniversary. From its modest beginnings in Houma, Louisiana, as a one-man operation, the company has expanded into a massive trucking empire, according to this article from The Daily Advertiser. With over 213 terminals, a fleet of thousands, and a workforce of more than 15,000 employees, Saia’s century-long journey is a testament to innovation, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

The story of Saia LTL Freight began in 1924 with Louis Saia Sr., a Sicilian immigrant who ran a grocery store in Houma. To stock his store with fresh produce, Saia regularly drove to New Orleans. Customers soon began asking him to deliver their packages during his trips, and he obliged, removing the back seats of his family car to make room for deliveries. This side hustle quickly eclipsed his grocery business in profitability, prompting Saia to dedicate himself fully to freight hauling.

By 1945, the company relocated its headquarters to New Orleans, setting the stage for further growth. Saia’s operations steadily expanded, and by the mid-1980s, its recognizable golden-lettered logo could be seen across the Southeastern United States. At that time, the company operated 23 terminals across five states, employed roughly 1,000 people, and generated over $50 million in annual revenue.

Although the founding family stepped away from the business in 1995, Saia retained its roots in Louisiana while evolving into a leader in the transportation industry. Today, the company continues to employ approximately 200 people in Houma and around 500 throughout Louisiana.

To commemorate its 100th anniversary, Saia hosted celebrations at its administrative office in Houma and its headquarters in Johns Creek, Georgia. The Houma event, held on November 7, featured classic Louisiana touches such as a New Orleans brass band, steaming pots of gumbo, and a mobile museum showcasing Saia’s rich history.

The Johns Creek event brought together employees, families, friends, and local dignitaries, including Mayor John Bradberry, who praised Saia for its enduring success and contributions to the community. Other celebrations were organized across the company’s extensive network, emphasizing its commitment to its employees.

Kim Hebert, a terminal manager in Houma with 45 years of experience at Saia, highlighted the company’s strong culture. Starting as a part-timer, Hebert planned to relocate to New Orleans but ultimately chose to stay with Saia, climbing the ranks over the decades. Reflecting on his journey, he attributed the company’s success to the exceptional work ethic and dedication of its employees, particularly in the South.

Marking the milestone, Saia announced a $1 billion investment in its operations for 2024. This ambitious plan includes advancements in technology, new equipment, and facility upgrades, underscoring the company’s dedication to innovation, efficiency, and customer service.

President and CEO Fritz Holzgrefe expressed optimism about Saia’s future, stating that the centennial celebration was not only about reflecting on past achievements but also about preparing for the opportunities that lie ahead. With plans for further expansion, technological advancements, and sustainability initiatives, Saia is positioning itself for continued success in the decades to come.

One of the most exciting aspects of the centennial celebration is the launch of two mobile museums. These traveling exhibits offer an immersive experience into Saia’s 100-year history. Visitors can view interactive artifacts, explore the interior of a Saia truck, and even try their hand at a driving simulator. These museums are a creative way to honor the company’s legacy while engaging employees, customers, and communities across the nation.

As Saia embarks on its next century, the company remains grounded in the values that have defined its journey: hard work, customer service, and reliability. Its focus on innovation and community engagement ensures that Saia will continue to lead the way in the transportation industry while honoring its storied past.

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From Creativity to Consciousness: Evolution of ThreeSixtyEight

ThreeSixtyEight, a creative agency based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, recently celebrated its eighth anniversary with a remarkable accomplishment. As per this article from The Advocate, they became the first company in Baton Rouge to achieve B Corp Certification, a recognition bestowed upon for-profit businesses that prioritize making a positive impact.

This certification acknowledges companies that meet rigorous standards concerning governance, employee treatment, environmental responsibility, and community engagement. Among the prestigious roster of B Corps are globally renowned brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, Tillamook, and PosiGen, a solar company based in New Orleans.

Obtaining B Corp status was no small feat for ThreeSixtyEight; it entailed a meticulous two-year certification process, which even involved amending the company’s legal agreements. Adrian Owen Jones, the chief growth officer of ThreeSixtyEight, spearheaded this endeavor, emphasizing the importance of aligning the company’s mission with social and environmental responsibility.

The origins of ThreeSixtyEight trace back to the merger of two local entities: Big Fish Presentations, specializing in corporate presentations and conferences, and Hatchit, a web development firm. The agency derived its name from the distance between the former offices of Big Fish and Hatchit, precisely 368 feet.

Kenny Nguyen, the CEO of ThreeSixtyEight, has long been committed to making a meaningful impact in the community. Initiatives such as Assembly Required, a speaker series fostering collaboration among diverse groups, reflect Nguyen’s dedication to community building. Moreover, ThreeSixtyEight’s involvement in leading the Better in BTR campaign underscores their commitment to promoting Baton Rouge as an attractive destination for young professionals, thereby enhancing regional pride.

In an interview, Adrian Owen Jones and Kenny Nguyen discussed the significance of B Corp certification for ThreeSixtyEight and its alignment with their efforts to attract more young professionals to Baton Rouge. Their dialogue shed light on the transformative power of conscious business practices in driving positive change at both the local and global levels.

ThreeSixtyEight distinguishes itself as the creative agency for companies shaping the future of learning. Their portfolio encompasses brands and digital products that redefine how people acquire skills, pursue education, and engage in the workforce. With a keen understanding of the evolving learning landscape, their team crafts innovative brand identities, websites, and campaigns infused with the warmth of southern hospitality.

Since 2016, ThreeSixtyEight has served over 100 brands worldwide, including industry giants like Unilever, The Miami Dolphins, and KIVA. Their work extends beyond traditional marketing; it serves as a catalyst for breaking barriers, transforming education, and facilitating talent acquisition for Fortune 500 companies.

Amidst a landscape inundated with distractions, ThreeSixtyEight prioritizes meaningful interactions over intrusive marketing tactics. By crafting authentic brand narratives, immersive digital experiences, and community-centric campaigns, they forge deeper connections with audiences, fostering engagement and loyalty.

In embracing conscious capitalism, ThreeSixtyEight not only enhances its brand reputation but also attracts socially conscious clients and top talent who seek meaningful work. By fostering a culture of purpose-driven innovation, they inspire employees to align their personal values with the company’s mission, fostering a sense of fulfillment and belonging. This holistic approach to business not only benefits stakeholders but also contributes to a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Through their relentless pursuit of excellence and social responsibility, ThreeSixtyEight sets a high standard for business ethics, paving the way for a new era of corporate leadership focused on positive impact and long-term sustainability.

In conclusion, ThreeSixtyEight’s journey toward B Corp certification exemplifies the transformative potential of businesses to drive sustainable change. By embracing conscious capitalism and prioritizing purpose alongside profit, they set a compelling example for companies seeking to create lasting value in an ever-evolving world.

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Entrepreneur Week Celebrates NOLA’s Workforce and Culture

The 2023 New Orleans Entrepreneur Week was recently held in the Crescent City to celebrate the city’s focus on entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and culture. According to this article from NOLA.com, the panel titled “Third Wave Industries and Climate Leadership,” highlighted just how New Orleans culture helps to draw in startups and clean energy.

The week-long series of workshops, speeches, panels, discussions, and live music that made up the 2023 New Orleans Entrepreneur Week drew in nearly 1,400 attendees, according to event organizers. One of the ways this year’s NOEW was different from previous years was that the event’s final three days included ticketed items such as concerts and entertainment offerings.

Producer Liz Maxwell of Idea Village, the small business accelerator program that created NOEW said, “NOEW has become a really important event for this community. It shows what is possible here in New Orleans and Louisiana and that we can create and innovate together.”

This year’s theme for NOEW was innovation and culture, which included speeches and sessions built around eight subthemes. These subthemes included: Climate tech, Culture tech, EATrepreneurs, Future of local business, Health innovation, Investing in innovation, Software as service engineers, and Startups for impact. In terms of guest speakers for the weeklong event, dozens of local and national speakers made it out to New Orleans, including keynoter Mary Landrieu, the former U.S. senator from Louisiana, and AOL founder Steve Case.

One of the talks for the New Orleans Entrepreneur Week focused on the fact that the Louisiana government’s climate policies were responsible for creating several economic development opportunities. This talk from the Louisiana Governor took place in Gallier Hall, where he announced that a key update will be coming to Louisiana’s renewable energy sector. This update is expected to offer a boost to those local companies that are racing to develop new types of carbon-capture technologies.

This update will come as a result of new federal regulations that are set to arrive later this spring, and it’s expected that these regulations from the federal government will give the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources the primary authority over wells needed to inject carbon underground, instead of this authority going to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If this update is finalized later this year, the new rules that will be in place will essentially speed up the permitting process and as a result make carbon capture and sequestration a reality in Louisiana ahead of the next gubernatorial election.

The speaker was quoted as saying, “we have to embrace things like carbon capture and sequestration because we cannot be successful and the world cannot be successful if we keep just emitting it the way we have. The science is there. The safety is there. I know we have to demonstrate that, but carbon capture is going to be very important moving forward.”

The Louisiana Government’s Climate Action Plan focuses heavily on carbon capture as one of its key planks, as it seeks to reduce the state of Louisiana’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. In addition to this goal, the plan also calls for developing purely renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power, and cleaner fuels like hydrogen.

One of the key takeaways from the presentation was that Louisiana has several economic development strengths that are aided by New Orleans attracting more startup companies and talent to the state of Louisiana. The Governor spoke about how this attraction of businesses could continue by saying that the state continues to “have more of these kinds of events.

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