GNO, Inc. Sunday Night Highlight, Olympic Edition – Louisiana Takes Home the Gold! 

A newly rejuvenated Louisiana Economic Development, supported by GNO, Inc. and seven other regional economic development organizations across Louisiana, has recently received several “gold medals” and other recognition for economic development success.  These include:

Area Development Magazine Awards

• Gold Shovel Award: Louisiana received the prestigious “Gold Shovel Award” from Area Development magazine. This annual award is given to states that have successfully secured economic development projects with exceptional capital investment and job creation. Louisiana’s booming energy investment, nearly $60 billion in energy innovation projects over the last five years, played a significant role in this award
• Green Shovel Award: The publication created a new category in 2024 in recognition of a state with a concentration of projects that are positive for the environment; Louisiana earned the first-ever Green Shovel Award for its commitment to clean energy, while growing jobs and output

Business Facilities Magazine Rankings

• #2 in U.S. for Custom Workforce Training:  Business Facilities magazine ranked LED FastStart, Louisiana’s premier workforce development program, as #2 in the nation
• Top 5 Tech Talent Pipeline: For the second consecutive year, Louisiana ranked in the Top 5 for its tech talent pipeline
• Top 10 Life Sciences Sector Strength: For the first time, Louisiana was recognized in the Top 10 for life sciences sector strength

Earlier this summer, Louisiana also finished among the Top 10 states in Site Selection Magazine’s 2024 Prosperity Cup, which ranks states by per capita new and expanded facilities, capital investment, and jobs. The publication also featured LED Secretary Bourgeois in its most recent issue, providing insight into the new vision guiding economic development in Louisiana.