News roundup: FuturePAC endorses Ponti in PSC race … BRAC endorses La. constitutional amendment to provide non-manufacturing business tax exemptions … Barnes & Noble founder to build 100 more homes in N.O.

News roundup: FuturePAC endorses Ponti in PSC race … BRAC endorses La. constitutional amendment to provide non-manufacturing business tax exemptions … Barnes & Noble founder to build 100 more homes in N.O.

Published Oct 17, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Oct 17, 2012)

Naming names: FuturePAC, the political action committee of BRAC, announced today its endorsement of Erich Ponti in the race for Louisiana Public Service Commission. "Mr. Ponti has proven that he understands the importance of economic development for the Capital Region," says Scott Wester, chair of the FuturePAC board of directors, in a prepared statement. "He also exhibits a strong commitment to the business community and will support opportunities for growth." Daily Report is compiling a list of endorsements for candidates in the East Baton Rouge Parish mayoral, Public Service Commission District 2 and Louisiana Supreme Court 5th District races. Check it out here; and if your association or organization has an endorsement in one of these races you'd like to share, please email it to ssanoski@businessreport.com.

On the ballot: BRAC announced this morning that it's backing a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot that would allow the state Board of Commerce and Industry to grant local property tax exemption contracts to a targeted group of non-manufacturing businesses in parishes that choose to participate in the program. Eligible non-manufacturing businesses are corporate headquarters, distribution centers, data service centers, research and development operations, and digital media or software development centers. BRAC President/CEO Adam Knapp says the amendment will promote continued economic development in the Capital Region and Louisiana.

A new chapter: Leonard Riggio, the founder and chairman of Barnes & Noble Inc., and his wife Louise are set to announce plans today for a new partnership to build and furnish 100 homes in Gentilly for working-class New Orleanians who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu's office tells The Times-Picayune. The Riggios founded the nonprofit Project Home Again, which previously built 101 energy-efficient, single-family homes in Gentilly. This represented the largest privately funded residential rebuilding program after Katrina. It was supported by a $20 million gift from the Riggios. Check out the full story here.

Today's poll question: Who won Tuesday night's presidential debate?