The third annual workplan toward Think Bigger, BRAC’s five-year strategic plan, is now fresh off the press.
This year, BRAC identified four overarching priorities, which include securing transportation funding sources; partnering with parishes and local organizations to ensure competitive, transparent local incentives that provide return on investment; increasing business development project leads in targeted growth sectors; and advancing measurable and visible progress on Quality of Place.
Broken out by goals established in BRAC’s five-year strategic plan, each bullet point indicates how BRAC will advance objectives (and the overarching priorities mentioned above) in 2018 specifically. View the full 2018 strategic plan at brac.org/strategicplan.
Grow and Diversify the Baton Rouge Area Economy
- Expand promotion of the Capital Region’s major economic assets, including: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Southern University, Water Campus, Port of Greater Baton Rouge and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
- Work with institutions like the Research Park Corporation and Louisiana Technology Park to link entrepreneurs to business services
- Help local taxing authorities streamline and stabilize their approval processes for ITEP
- Partner with the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District to certify sites and buildings that are ideal for development
Cultivate the Region’s Talent
- Engage at least 2,000 students through BRAC’s Virtual Schoolhouse
- Ensure EBR Schools’ Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) has a strong business advisory panel, which will help form the school’s curriculum
- Increase the number of InternBR fellows and design events to acclimate young professionals
- Give customized executive candidate tours and encourage HR partners to adopt Baton Rouge key messages
- Explore a dynamic minority business assistance program during 2018 Canvas benchmarking trip
Transform the Baton Rouge Area’s Quality of Life
- Advocate for the I-1O widening funding approvals
- Pursue more funding options to:
- Build a new Mississippi River Bridge
- Increase use of the 190 Bridge
- Improve local arterials to alleviate traffic away from major thoroughfares
- Advocate for alternative transportation options
- If aligned with BRAC’s policy goals, support a potential EBR Schools facilities tax renewal election
- Drive forward Capital Region beautification efforts
Elevate the Region’s External Image
- Create an online resource of key messages, positive media placements and tips for external talent recruitment
- Shift focus of #thinkBR campaign to young professionals, highlighting target industries and the opportunities available to young people in the region
- Collaborate with members of SoLA Super Region Committee to advance strategies for projects including an inter-city train and a state legislative policy agenda
Caitie Burkes
As the marketing and communications intern, Caitie is responsible for providing support for marketing team programs and projects.