Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership

Last week, The Partnership took on Houston Energy and Climate Week, and it was jam-packed from the start!

We partnered with NSF FUEL and the LSU Alumni Association to spotlight FUEL's Venture Studio, giving alumni a firsthand look at how early-stage startups get the proof-of-concept funding and strategic support they need to scale. We joined Louisiana Future Energy partners and a visiting Norwegian delegation from Innovation Norway to discuss shared priorities in sustainable industrial growth. And we helped kick off the Digital Delta Symposium and LA Summit for discussions on digital twins, AI integration, and smart infrastructure driving Gulf Coast decarbonization.

Success Story: Hut 8

A major investment in West Feliciana Parish is helping position Louisiana’s Capital Region at the forefront of the growing digital infrastructure economy.

Hut 8’s River Bend AI campus represents up to a $10 billion Phase I investment and is expected to create 75 new direct jobs. With the potential to scale up to 1,000 megawatts of utility capacity, the campus will support high-performance computing and advanced technologies.

Construction is underway, with Phase I operations expected to begin in 2027.

Learn more: greaterbatonrouge.org/hut-8

Investor Highlight: MESH

MESH is a Baton Rouge-based creative brand agency that helps companies grow through strategy, branding, creative, digital, and more.

The Partnership has worked with MESH to bring some of our biggest ideas to life, including Better in BTR, our We Make the World BTR campaign, and many more. We’re proud to have MESH as both a creative partner and an investor in the work we’re doing to move the Capital Region forward.

Learn more: whenwemesh.com

Join us in just two weeks for The Partnership's Annual Meeting, presented by Kean Miller!

Acting Co-CEOs Jayson Newell and Trey Godfrey will lead conversations with Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, LSU President Wade Rousse, and Chancellor & Interim Southern University System President Orlando McMeans on the investments, partnerships, and innovation shaping what’s next for our region.

Register: greaterbatonrouge.org/annual-meeting

Meet the future entrepreneurs of the Capital Region! 24 high schoolers from 12 schools across 4 parishes were just announced as the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge Class of 2026-2027. Over the next year, these students will build real businesses to pitch for seed funding next March.

Since 2018, YEA BR students have started more than 145 businesses. The Partnership is proud to support programs growing Baton Rouge's next generation of leaders.

Learn more: https://loom.ly/2QFECIk

The Council for Community and Economic Research's newly released Q2 2026 Cost of Living Index ranks Baton Rouge among the five least expensive urban areas in the country for monthly utility bills, out of 248 urban areas tracked nationwide.

For families and businesses evaluating where to grow, lower utility costs mean more room in the budget for what matters, whether that's household savings or reinvesting in operations. It's one more reason the Capital Region continues to stand out to site selectors and companies considering where to invest next.

Read: https://loom.ly/ctjDcXg

Parish Highlight: West Baton Rouge

Home to the Port of Greater Baton Rouge and major employers across the process industry, manufacturing, energy, and logistics sectors, the parish plays an important role in moving products made in the Capital Region to markets around the world. With access to I-10, U.S. 190, LA 1, major rail lines, and the Mississippi River, West Baton Rouge is built for connection and continued growth.

Beyond its economic strengths, West Baton Rouge offers plenty to explore, from local restaurants and outdoor recreation to the West Baton Rouge Museum, which shares the stories and history that have shaped the parish.

Learn more: greaterbatonrouge.org/west-baton-rouge-parish

Strong quarter for our partners at Ascension Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). Ascension Parish has recorded $347 million in announced capital investment and 46 new jobs so far this year, with a pipeline of 30 projects worth a potential $22 billion and 1,700+ jobs, according to President & CEO Kate MacArthur.

Great momentum for Ascension Parish and the entire Capital Region.

Read more: https://loom.ly/cfySHMY

Ascension economic development pipeline holds $22B in potential investment The Ascension Parish Economic Development Corporation has recorded $347 million in announced capital investment and 46 new jobs so far this year, according to its president and CEO, Kate MacArthur. … Already an INSIDER? Sign in. Already an INSIDER? Sign in

Meet The Partnership: Trey Godfrey, Acting Co-CEO 💠

As acting co-CEO, Trey helps lead The Partnership’s work to drive economic growth and opportunity across Louisiana’s Capital Region. He also continues to bring his expertise in talent development and policy, with experience advancing initiatives related to education, workforce development, transportation, entrepreneurship, and quality of place. A two-time graduate of Tulane University, Trey brings experience in consulting, development, and community leadership to the role and previously served as executive director of 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, Ltd.

Learn more about The Partnership team: greaterbatonrouge.org