30 Years of Business

A look at the people, places, companies and events that have shaped the Capital Region for the past three decades.

Published Sep 17, 2012 at 1:00 pm (Updated Sep 18, 2012)

INTRODUCTION

A defining decision
Judge John Parker's legal ruling 31 years ago set in motion the events that gave rise to the Capital Region.

RETROSPECTIVE

My Baton Rouge
Residents and business owners share what makes the region special to them.

1000 words
For this special edition, Business Report photographer Marie Constantin shares her favorite images of the people, places and events that have shaped our community in the past three decades.

The Baton Rouge 30
Thirty stories about who we are and how we got to be that way.

Remembering the past 30 years
Click the links below to download a PDF for each year.

1982	1992	2002
1983	1993	2003
1984	1994	2004
1985	1995	2005
1986	1996	2006
1987	1997	2007
1988	1998	2008
1989	1999	2009
1990	2000	2010
1991	2001	2011
	2012

PEOPLE

Lasting impressions
The challenge in compiling a list of people who have made a difference in Baton Rouge over the past 30 years is in trying to determine not who should be on the list, but who shouldn't, because so many people are deserving of mention, and 30 is such a limiting number. But even if we featured a list of 300, we would have to omit someone noteworthy, and even that limit wouldn't be easy. This is not a complete list nor does it attempt to be. There are countless business and civic leaders, elected officials, community volunteers, entrepreneurs and small business owners who have done meaningful and important things in and for the Capital Region. This list is in no way intended to diminish their contributions and accomplishments. But the individuals we are spotlighting particularly stand out in our minds because their projects, visions, plans, actions and personalities have left a long and lasting mark on this community—one that won't be forgotten.

Hall of Fame
Since 1993, Business Report and Junior Achievement have honored community leaders for a lifetime of achievement. Click here to view a slideshow of the honorees.

Business Awards
Business Report has honored the best of the best in business over the past 30 years. Click here to view a slideshow of some of the honorees.

Click here to view a complete list of all award recipients over the past 30 years.

PLACES

Changing demographics
In 30 years, the Capital Region has become more populous, much better educated, and more affluent. In some cases, we have become more ethically diverse; in others, less so. How do we know? The census tells us so. With the assistance of Troy C. Blanchard of the LSU Department of Sociology, we collected comparable data about each of the nine parishes in the area from the 1980 census and the 2011 American Community Survey for a statistical image of the Capital Region then—and now. Click here to download a PDF of the demographics.

Gone but not forgotten
Some of Baton Rouge's most beloved icons have closed their doors in the past three decades.