Census finds 80,000 more Louisianans

Without any fanfare at all, the U.S. Census Bureau has added nearly 80,000 people to Louisiana’s estimated population. When the bureau last week released its estimates for annual population growth in 2008, the previously estimated number of new residents in 2007 mysteriously had risen from 49,916 to 129,676. It seems the bureau drastically underestimated population growth in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes between 2006 and 2007. Those three parishes challenged the numbers and won, and the Census Bureau quietly revised its figures. That means that between 2006 and 2007, Louisiana’s population actually rose 3.1%; not 1.2%. To read the full story, click here. – Penny Brown Font

Corridor loses 29,981 registered voters

More than 67% of the inactive voters removed from the state election rolls since November live along the 10/12 corridor. Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne cancelled the registrations of 29,981 voters from the 17 corridor parishes. All told, 44,739 - or 1.5% - of the 2.9 million registered Louisiana voters came off the rolls. Orleans Parish lost 7,740 voters; Jefferson, 7067; East Baton Rouge Parish, 5,196; St. Tammany, 3,549; and Calcasieu, 1,684. On the other end of the spectrum, St. James lost just 27. Those losing their registration have not voted in any election between November 2006 and November 2008, and have failed to respond to efforts to verify their addresses. Louisiana election law mandates the removal of anyone who has not voted in two federal election cycles. To see the number of voters cancelled in your parish, click here. - PBF

Five corridor officials to attend smart-growth conference

Municipalities, especially small ones, need fresh ideas for good growth, but they’re cash-strapped for travel and training, believes the nonprofit Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX). In its second round of Smart Growth Scholarships, the nonprofit will provide 11 Louisiana elected officials $1,000 each toward the cost of attending the annual New Partners for Smart Growth Conference Jan. 22-24 in Albuquerque, N.M. “Ultimately, these officials are the planners in a community and they make decisions that affect quality of life,” says CPEX Director Planning Camille Manning-Broome. Among the 11 are five corridor recipients including Jefferson Parish Councilman John Young, Lafayette Councilman Don Bertrand, Ascension Parish President Tommy Martinez, Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster and St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre, Jr. - Maggie Heyn Richardson

Baton Rouge won't lose bowling tournament

The failure of the $989 million capital improvements package issue won’t keep the American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament from returning to Baton Rouge in 2012, city-parish Chief Administrator Walter Monsour says. Long-planned improvements to the River Center were part of the bond proposal, including some items requested by the Bowling Congress: room for more bowling lanes, more meeting rooms and a larger pre-function staging area. Fulfilling commitments made to the bowlers will cost about $21 million to $22 million, half from the state’s capital outlay and half from the parish. The administration plans to ask for a budget supplement in the first quarter of next year for at least part of the parish’s share of the cost. The project is expected to take 18 to 24 months, but not cause an interruption of River Center business. More than 75,000 bowlers are expected to visit Baton Rouge over the course of the six-month tournament, with a projected economic impact of more than $100 million, Monsour says. The tournament was held here in 2005. —David Jacobs

Survey finds New Orleans region has thousands of tech workers

Technology workers make up more than 7% of the New Orleans region's workforce, a new survey by the Louisiana Technology Council concludes. More than 63% of 37,000 works in the metropolitan area have at least a four-year college degree; 21% of them have a master's or doctoral degree. Nearly three-fourths of tech workers are employed in a non-technology industry, such as education, health care, government or banking. Within traditional technology industries, the largest concentration of workers is in telecommunications, communications, and engineering. Their most common skills are web development, user support, database and systems management. The survey was sponsored by the council, Louisiana Economic Development and the University of New Orleans. To read the report, click here.

Poll: Expect an economic downturn

An economic downturn along the corridor is coming in 2009 - or perhaps it's already here. So says a majority of respondents to a 10/12 poll. Some 42% of those who cast a vote say it's inevitable that the economy will get worse. Another 22% says there's no waiting; it's already here. The remaining respondents were somewhat more optimistic. Of those, 21% predict there may be a downturn; 12% insist it will never come. A total of 132 people responded. The 10/12 poll is not a scientific survey and reflects only the responses of the people who choose to participate.

This week’s question: Why is Louisiana losing the millennial generation?

Places to be on the corridor

:: Chenier Plain Symposium, a two-day event focusing on coastal restoration and hurricane protection in Southwest Louisiana, is scheduled for Jan. 8-9 in the Lake Charles Civic Center. The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is hosting the event as a way to integrate science and planning. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Louisiana officials will update attendees on a study of hurricane protection and coastal restoration, followed by a panel discussion by representatives from the Corps, state, landowners, the oil and gas industry and navigation and fisheries industries. To register, click here, or call 225-767-4181.

:: Business Success in a Down Economy, a one-day workshop designed specifically for business owners, is set for Thursday, Jan. 15, at LSU's Lod Cook Alumni Center, 3838 West Lakeshore Drive in Baton Rouge. Topics include economic sustainability, credit availability, the new political landscape, business retention and expansion and meeting customer needs. Among the many speakers: Dr. Loren Scott, Buddy Roemer. For more information about the event and how to register, click here.

:: Gov. Bobby Jindal will deliver the keynote address at the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Cajundome Convention Center. Dr. Kam Movassaghi will be installed as the 2009 chairman. For more information, call Erin Kelley at 337-408-3657 or e-mail erin@lafchamber.org.

Viewpoint: What shaped Louisiana in 2008?

An historic year in national politics did not lack for precedents in Louisiana. A new governor and Legislature, some storm-tossed elections and the long wait for trial for a sitting congressman, now unseated, marked one of the most eventful years in state politics, John Maginnis writes. To read eight reasons why, click here.

Faces to know: Jacqueline Vines

Jacqueline
Vines

In addition to being responsible for 1,200 employees and 307,000 customers, Cox Greater Louisiana Senior Vice President/General Manager Jacqueline Vines served as vice chair of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s transition advisory panel for economic development and on the search committees for Southern University chancellor, LSU athletic director and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. She’s also on the board of directors for Blueprint Louisiana, BRAC, Baton Rouge Area Foundation and Tiger Athletic Foundation.