Baton Rouge, La. (July 16, 2020) – Baton Rouge has won Southern Business & Development (SB&D) magazine’s “Major Market of the Year” designation for its 2020 100 Top Deals and Hot Markets. Louisiana and Alabama tied for “State of the Year.”
“We take our mission to lead economic development in the nine-parish region seriously, and this honor is exciting both for our organization and the entire Baton Rouge community” said Adam Knapp, president and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. “Our team secured 27 economic development projects in 2019, the most in our history. While the pandemic has certainly changed the game for managing economic development projects, we are still actively working to support new and continued investment in our region with our partners in the business community and across government agencies.”
The 27 projects BRAC secured in 2019 included expansions of local businesses and attractions of new ones. Cumulatively, they represent 1,200 permanent direct jobs and $3.1 billion in capital investment across the region.
The SB&D awarded Baton Rouge 190 points via its grading criteria. San Antonio, New Orleans and Kansas City are listed as honorable mentions with 125, 110, and 90 points, respectively.
Ascension Parish received an additional Special Recognition with 70 points in its boundaries alone.
View the 2020 SB&D 100 Top Deals and Hot Markets here, and see the full spring issue at sb-d.com.
About the Baton Rouge Area Chamber
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) leads economic development in the nine-parish Baton Rouge Area, working to grow jobs and wealth and to improve the business climate and competitiveness in the region. Today, BRAC investors include more than 1,400 small businesses, mid-sized firms, large industry and entrepreneurial startups, as well as individuals and organizations that support business and economic development. In this capacity, BRAC serves as the voice of the business community, providing knowledge, access, services and advocacy. More information is available at brac.org.
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