GNO, Inc. Sunday Night Highlight – An Interview with Susan Bourgeois, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development
When Susan Bonnett Bourgeois was asked by Governor Jeff Landry to be Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, she brought years of political, private sector, foundation, and economic development experience to the role (i.e., immediate past-chair of GNO, Inc.).
In an interview this week with the New Orleans Advocate, Secretary Bourgeois lays out her plan for how to continue to improve both the reality – and the perception – of doing business in Louisiana. Highlights of the interview include:
A Strategic Plan for the Future
Central to Bourgeois’ approach is the creation of a comprehensive strategic plan for the state’s economic growth. This plan, mandated by legislation passed in June, will involve a wide range of stakeholders, from business leaders to local communities. LED is partnering with the Committee of 100 for Economic Development and plans to hire a global consulting firm to lead the effort. “We’re not just going to create a plan for the sake of it,” she explained. “It’s about ensuring that the state has a clear roadmap with accountability measures built in. This plan will guide us on what our real opportunities are—and how to make the most of them.”
Energy: Louisiana’s Competitive Advantage
Bourgeois sees energy as a cornerstone of Louisiana’s economic future, one that includes the legacy oil and gas industry, as well as emerging future energy sectors. “There’s room for both,” she said, referring to the coexistence of legacy energy and emerging opportunities. Louisiana’s unique geology, existing infrastructure, and skilled workforce make it the perfect hub for carbon capture and sequestration, as well as other advanced energy technologies. “We have the rocks, rules, and movement,” Bourgeois explained, underscoring Louisiana’s distinct advantages for carbon storage and future energy projects. Woodland Biofuel’s recent announcement of a $1.4 billion carbon-negative natural gas facility, to be the largest in the world, supports this vision.
Beyond Energy: Data Centers and Grid Capacity
In addition to energy, Sec. Bourgeois sees significant potential in Louisiana’s ability to attract data centers, particularly in central and north Louisiana, where climate risks are lower and land is abundant. These areas offer an opportunity to blend blue-collar industries with tech, making Louisiana an appealing location for this growing sector. With robust grid capacity and the potential for power generation, Louisiana could become a key player in housing the cloud.
Looking Ahead: A New Vision for Incentives
While much of the attention has been on incentives like the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP), Bourgeois is focused on tying any incentive program directly to the state’s new strategic plan. “Once we know our priorities, we can develop incentives that truly align with our goals,” she said, noting that it’s important to remain neutral on incentives until after the plan is in place.
Redefining the Narrative
Bourgeois highlights the opportunities the state offers, particularly in industries like energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing. “We have a responsibility to tell the story of the opportunity,” Bourgeois emphasized, explaining that this opportunity is not a sales pitch, but grounded in the state’s unique assets.
You can read the full article here.
You can visit Louisiana Economic Development here.