News Alert

Loren Scott projects 12,400 more jobs for Capital Region over the next two years

Economist Loren Scott projects the Baton Rouge metro area will add about 4,500 jobs next year and 7,900 in 2024. 

Kenilworth Science and Technology School will build new campus

Building Hope, the nonprofit organization behind charter school Kenilworth Science and Technology School,

OLOL to build $100M cancer institute on Hennessy

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center plans to build the main building of its reported $100 million Our Lady of the Lake...

FranU receives $1M donation for chapel in St. Francis Hall 

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University today announced it has received a $1 million monetary gift from the FMOL Sisters
LSU leadership

Shell donates $27.5M to LSU energy research initiatives

Shell USA is donating $27.5 million to LSU to create the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation and support the construction of the previously announced Our Lady of the Lake Interdisciplinary Science Building, the school announced at an event today.

News alert: Gov. Edwards asked to appear before legislative committee investigating Ronald Greene incident

What did Gov. John Bel Edwards know about the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene by Louisiana State Police and when did he know it?

News alert: Judge rules against St. George incorporation

A judge has ruled that the incorporation of St. George is “unreasonable” under state law.

Children’s hospitals in Baton Rouge, New Orleans to explore partnership

Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health and Children’s Hospital New Orleans, part of the LCMC Health system, have signed a non-binding letter of intent to explore opportunities to collaborate.

News alert: Attracting talent, diversifying economy key to BRAC’s five-year strategic plan 

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber today released its new five-year strategic plan, Bring It! Baton Rouge, which focuses on growing the region’s talent pipeline, diversifying the economy, increasing inclusivity and enhancing the area’s livability to help attract and retain people. 
OLOL

OLOL’s Scott Wester transitioning to new role within organization

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System today announced that Scott Wester will be transitioning from his position as market president for Baton Rouge and Our Lady of the Lake into a system executive role focused exclusively on the recently announced $170 million investment in LSU. 
Baton Rouge McCollister Louisiana

‘Business Report’ founder Rolfe McCollister retires after 40 years; Julio Melara acquiring Baton Rouge...

Rolfe McCollister Jr., who launched Baton Rouge Business Report in 1982, is retiring from the 40-year-old company. Julio Melara, who joined the company 25 years ago, is acquiring Louisiana Business Inc.

b1Bank expanding into Houston with Texas Citizens Bank acquisition

The transaction will not only extend the b1BANKS’ reach along the industry-heavy Interstate 10 corridor, but will also grow its assets to some $4.9 billion.

Industrial gas company to build $4.5B clean energy complex in Ascension Parish 

Air Products, an industrial gas company, is planning to build a $4.5 billion clean energy complex in Ascension Parish, according to a news release. 

Capital Region could add nearly 22,000 jobs in next two years, Loren Scott says

The Capital Region could add about 16,600 jobs next year and 5,300 jobs the year after, economist Loren Scott predicts in the latest version of his Louisiana Economic Forecast. 
telemedicine Our Lady of the Lake ER

News alert: OLOL announces plans for $100M cancer institute

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center is investing $100 million to establish a new regional cancer center that will be branded as the Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute.

Bernhard energy services firm to be acquired by global investment fund

DIF Capital Partners, a global infrastructure investment fund manager, today announced an agreement to acquire Bernhard, LLC, the New Orleans-based energy services firm owned by Baton Rouge-based private equity firm Bernhard Capital Partners.

Pace of bank mergers faster than at any time since 2008 crash

Banks this year are completing acquisitions and mergers at a pace not seen since the 2008 financial crisis, The Wall Street Journal reports.

News alert: Mary Bird Perkins, OLOL to part ways; cancer center finds new out-of-state...

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is ending its affiliation with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and has announced it is partnering with a Nashville-based network of independent oncology practices, OneOncology.
telemedicine Our Lady of the Lake ER

News alert: FMOL system mandates vaccines for all employees

The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, which owns Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and four other hospitals around the state, announced this morning it will mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for all team members, employed providers, residents, students in clinical rotations, contract staff, and volunteers.
Baton Rouge economy

News alert: ExxonMobil greenlights $247M upgrade of Baton Rouge refinery

ExxonMobil announced this morning it will move forward with a $247 million investment at its north Baton Rouge refinery to modernize and upgrade the aging facility and enhance its competitiveness.