A Plan Built for Long-Term Growth
Louisiana’s economy is showing real movement. Will Green, head of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says the LA Driven plan is working. LABI created the plan a few years ago to give new state leaders a clear roadmap. It set nine goals tied to jobs, wages, education, and quality of life. LABI also built in yearly check-ins to measure progress, rather than letting the plan sit on a shelf.
Early Goals Already Reached
Two major goals are complete. Louisiana moved into the top half of states for job creation, helped by major projects from Amazon, Hyundai Steel, Meta, CF Industries, and Woodside. These projects brought in thousands of jobs. Most pay between $60,000 and $80,000 a year. As a result, Louisiana also hit its target for high-wage job growth.
Education Numbers Improve
Several education goals are close. Third-grade reading is now at 62%, just below the 66% target. High school graduation rates climbed from 83.2% to 85%, even though many students were already deep into high school when the plan started. Green says that rise is one of the strongest signs of long-term improvement.
Crime Trends Move in the Right Direction
Quality of life is also part of the plan. Violent and property crime dropped 12% to 13% in two years. New accountability laws helped, but so did simple re-entry steps. More people leaving prison now have IDs, birth certificates, and access to GED programs. Those tools make it easier to apply for work and avoid falling back into old patterns.
Work Still Ahead
Louisiana still struggles with two major problems: losing working-age residents and having one of the lowest labor force participation rates in the South. Because of that, LABI is pushing legislation that supports paid internships, career pathways, and training funds for employers. Green says these steps help young people stay in Louisiana and enter the workforce prepared.
The legislative session starts Monday, and LABI plans to keep the momentum moving.