Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership

Meet The Partnership: Michael K. Adams, Director of Talent Development 💠

As director of talent development, Michael works closely with businesses and education partners across Louisiana’s nine-parish Capital Region to expand work-based learning opportunities and strengthen the region’s future workforce. Originally from Baton Rouge, Michael returned home in 2022 after working in marketing and business development roles in the entertainment and music industries in Southern California.

Learn more about The Partnership team: greaterbatonrouge.org

Today, The Partnership welcomed Rep. Ken Brass (District 58), Rep. Terry Landry Jr. for Louisiana (District 67), Rep. Paul Sawyer (District 69), and Rep. Barbara Freiberg for Louisiana (District 70) for a discussion with our investors on the outcomes of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session.

The conversation provided an opportunity to reflect on key policy wins, discuss the work still ahead, and explore how business and community leaders can continue working together to strengthen Louisiana's Capital Region.

Thank you to our legislators, investors, and partners for joining us and for their continued commitment to advancing policies that support economic growth, workforce development, and opportunity across our region.

Through an analysis of Volunteers In Public Schools - EBR's EveryBody Reads program, Riverbend Research found that students who received weekly visits from a Reading Friend increased at least one literacy benchmark level at nearly twice the rate of students who were referred but did not receive visits.

The study also showed measurable gains in student DIBELS literacy scores over the course of the school year, providing additional evidence of the program's impact on early literacy outcomes.

Learn how Riverbend Research can help your organization measure impact, uncover insights, and make data-informed decisions at riverbendresearch.org.

PARISH PROFILE: St. Helena Parish

St. Helena Parish plays an important role in the Capital Region with available land, a growing manufacturing presence, and proximity to larger markets that support business growth. Employers like Southland Steel Fabricators highlight the parish’s industrial base and potential for future investment.

Defined by wide-open space and natural assets, St. Helena offers room to grow while staying connected to the region’s broader economic momentum.

Learn more about St. Helena: greaterbatonrouge.org/st-helena-parish

Join us for our next Happy Hour on July 22 at Court To Table. 🥒🎾

Current and future investors are invited to connect with fellow business and community leaders from across the Capital Region for an evening of networking, light bites, and cocktails.

Register today: greaterbatonrouge.org/happyhour

Today, economic development leaders from across the Capital Region gathered at The Partnership for an Electricity 101 discussion hosted by Entergy Louisiana.

As Louisiana continues to attract transformative industrial projects and major investments, understanding the energy infrastructure that powers growth is more important than ever. We appreciate Entergy Louisiana for bringing regional partners together to strengthen our shared understanding of the opportunities shaping the future of economic development in our region.

Louisiana is once again recognized with a Gold Shovel Award from Area Development, honoring the nation's top-performing states for economic development project wins.

Several transformative projects helped secure the award, including Hyundai Motor Group's $5.8 billion investment in Ascension Parish and CF Industries' $4 billion low-carbon ammonia project. Hyundai Motor Group and Hut 8 were also recognized as Area Development Projects of the Year.

Congratulations to our partners across the Capital Region and the entire state who helped make this recognition possible.

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Meet The Partnership: Maggi Spurlock, Vice President of Talent Development 💠

As vice president of talent development, Maggi leads regional strategies focused on talent attraction, retention, and workforce development across Louisiana’s Capital Region. She works closely with employers, higher education institutions, and community partners to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline and help newcomers connect with opportunities in Baton Rouge. A Baton Rouge native, Maggi is a graduate of Louisiana State University and enjoys staying engaged in the community through several local civic and professional organizations.

Learn more about The Partnership team: greaterbatonrouge.org

This week, Vice President of Business Investment Janet Galati represented The Partnership at the EPC Show in Houston. The Energy Projects Conference & Expo is one of the largest gatherings of energy project professionals in North America, bringing together developers, engineering firms, contractors, suppliers, and project owners involved in major investments across the energy, manufacturing, petrochemical, and infrastructure sectors.

A special thank you to Cajun Industries, LLC for hosting a reception that brought together Baton Rouge business leaders and industry partners from across the Gulf South. The event provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships, showcase the advantages of Louisiana's Capital Region, and connect with companies helping drive the next generation of industrial growth.

Events like the EPC Show create the relationships and conversations that often become future projects, investments, and jobs. We look forward to turning those connections into actionable results for our region and state.