The Louisiana Business & Industry Show

In this episode of the Louisiana Business & Industry Show, Gordy Rush and Tim Johnson sit down with Jill Kidder, President and CEO of Visit Baton Rouge, to discuss one of the most underrated economic engines in Louisiana: tourism, a $1.3 billion industry supporting over 42,000 jobs in East Baton Rouge Parish alone.Jill breaks down how Visit Baton Rouge attracts millions of visitors to the capital city, from major conventions and youth sports tournaments to the bowling congress that brought 150,000 people through Baton Rouge in a single season. She explains why tourism is the first step in the economic development cycle, how Baton Rouge quietly earned its first listings in the Michelin Guide, and why sports tourism is the fastest-growing opportunity for the region.The conversation also covers the exciting developments on the horizon, including the redevelopment of the River Center, the new Sports Illustrated hotel coming downtown, and a bold plan to turn Baton Rouge back toward the Mississippi River as its front porch. If you care about the future of business, growth, and quality of life in Louisiana, this conversation is one you do not want to miss.Subscribe, like, and comment to help us spread the word about the future of Louisiana business.

In this episode of the Louisiana Business & Industry Show, Gordy Rush and Tim Johnson sit down with Dr. Quentin Taylor, Chancellor of River Parishes Community College, to discuss one of the most important workforce stories in Louisiana right now, a community college at the epicenter of the state's industrial explosion.Dr. Taylor breaks down how RPCC has doubled enrollment and graduation rates since 2022, what the landmark Hyundai Steel RPCC Training Center in Donaldsonville means for workers up and down the Mississippi River corridor, and why 70% of Louisiana's jobs require an associate degree or less, not a four-year diploma. He also shares his deeply personal mission to break the cycle of generational poverty through workforce education and why the River Parishes may be the most important economic development story in the entire state.The conversation also covers RPCC's growing industry partnerships with Hyundai, CF Industries, and Ascension Clean Energy, how the college is positioning itself as Louisiana's premier workforce solution, and what business leaders and parents need to know about the opportunities right at their doorstep.If you care about the future of Louisiana's economy, workforce development, and the communities being transformed by industrial growth, this conversation is one you do not want to miss.Subscribe and turn on notifications for new episodes every week with the leaders shaping Louisiana's future.

In this episode of the Louisiana Business & Industry Show, Gordy Rush and Tim Johnson sit down with Verge Ausberry, Vice President and Athletic Director at LSU, to discuss one of the most powerful economic drivers in the state of Louisiana: LSU Athletics, a $250 million operation generating billions in regional economic impact.Verge breaks down the business of running a major college athletic department, from the high-stakes coaching searches that brought Lane Kiffin and Will Wade to Baton Rouge, to the rapidly changing landscape of NIL and revenue sharing. He explains how LSU is restructuring its athletic department to operate like a corporate front office, why building private partnerships and donor relationships is now essential to staying competitive, and how LSU stacks up against the biggest programs in the country. The conversation also covers the exciting capital projects on the horizon, including a new on-campus arena and what a loaded home football schedule means for LSU and the greater Baton Rouge region. If you care about the future of business, sports, and economic opportunity in Louisiana, this conversation is one you do not want to miss. Subscribe, like, and comment to help us spread the word about the future of Louisiana business.

In this episode of the Louisiana Business & Industry Show, Gordy Rush and Tim Johnson sit down with Tanner Johnson, Partner at Van Ness Feldman LLP, to discuss one of the most critical economic debates facing Louisiana today: carbon capture, pipelines, private property rights, and what it all means for the state's future. Tanner breaks down why Louisiana must innovate with carbon capture or risk losing billions in industrial investment to Texas and other competing states. He explains the real facts behind eminent domain and CO2 pipelines, how the carbon credit economy is paying landowners billions to plant trees and grasslands, and how Louisiana's energy strategy connects our fisheries, oil and gas industry, and world-class ports into a powerful economic engine. The conversation also covers the next steps Louisiana must take to protect its competitive edge and keep transformational investment in the state. If you care about the future of business, jobs, and opportunity in Louisiana, this conversation is one you do not want to miss. Subscribe, like, and comment to help us spread the word about the future of Louisiana business.

In this episode of the Louisiana Business & Industry Show, Gordy Rush and Tim Johnson talk with Kate McArthur, President and CEO of the Ascension Economic Development Corporation, about Ascension Parish’s rapid rise as Louisiana’s top destination for major investment. McArthur breaks down the massive Riverplex Mega Park and the nearly $20 billion in transformative projects it has attracted, including Hyundai Steel, CF Industries, and Ascension Clean Energy. The conversation explores workforce development, new training partnerships, infrastructure needs, and what’s next for jobs and growth in Ascension Parish—making this a must-listen for anyone focused on Louisiana’s economic future.Provide your feedback on BizChat

In this episode of the Louisiana Business & Industry Show, Gordy Rush and Tim Johnson sit down with Patrick Riley, Director of Governmental Affairs and Assistant General Counsel for the Louisiana Chemistry Association (LCA), to discuss the role of Louisiana's chemistry industry in shaping the state's economic future.Patrick shares LCA's mission as the unified voice of Louisiana's chemical and petrochemical manufacturers, and the progress being made through carbon capture, Class VI well permitting, and regulatory leadership. The conversation covers Louisiana's industrial growth, workforce development, energy policy, and what the chemical industry means for jobs and communities across the state.If you care about the future of business, jobs, and opportunity in Louisiana, this conversation is one you do not want to miss.Subscribe, like, and comment to help us spread the word about the future of Louisiana business.

LABI President & CEO Will Green outlines a nine‑point roadmap focused on strengthening Louisiana’s long‑term economic future. The plan emphasizes improving the state’s tax structure, growing and retaining a skilled workforce, supporting job creators, advancing infrastructure, and making Louisiana more competitive with neighboring states. Green stresses the need for pro‑growth policies, economic stability, and collaboration between business and government to create sustainable opportunities across Louisiana.