Bobby Jindal Corner: Highest Ranking - EVER

News just out today shows that Louisiana has reached our highest-ever business climate ranking – number five in the country – by Business Facilities magazine. Business Facilities took note of our "unmatched workforce training program" and said that our state is "spurring hot new growth sectors including digital media." Of course these types of rankings are great news and proof positive that our pro-growth economic policies are working, but now is no time to rest on our laurels. We will continue to do everything we can to attract more companies to invest in Louisiana so that we have more opp ortunities for our people to pursue their dreams here at home.
On the economic development front, we had another exciting announcement this week. In early 2005, New Orleans Cold Storage had announced plans to expand its facility at the Port of New Orleans, but the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina caused devastating damage to the facility and the company was forced to lay off 80 percent of its workforce. Those were tough times, and New Orleans Cold Storage could have packed up and left us forever – but they didn't. In partnership with the Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Cold Storage, we announced a new project this week – as WVUE reported – that will create 125 new jobs and also keep 105 jobs at the facility. This new facility not only creates great new jobs for our people, but it is a symbol of the resiliency of our people. No matter what challenges we face, we always get back up and rebuild better than before. This week we also joined Brig. Gen. K.K. Chinn to announce the construction of a new elementary school at Fort Polk that will serve more than 800 children of military families. This new school will give our children the opportunity to get a great education and help prepare them for jobs in the 21st century workforce. The new elementary school is part our commitment to help Fort Polk expand. Indeed, Fort Polk is growing significantly, and in order to make sure that the brave men and women of the military have a strong quality of life, the state has invested $25 million in infrastructure projects that will pave the way for new housing, retail and educational opportunities for the people of Fort Polk, Leesville and Vernon Parish. Finally, today we learned of a terrible tragedy in Aurora, Colorado. It was a senseless and monstrous act, and the shooter should suffer the consequences. Life is precious, and as the father of three young kids, I was reminded that we should not take a moment for granted. We hope for the speedy recovery of all those injured and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their family and friends.