economic growth
Sasol announces gas-to-liquids complex in Calcasieu Parish
Gov. Jindal and Sasol Director Ernst Oberholster announced the South African company selected Calcasieu Parish as the location for a potential gas-to-liquids (GTL) complex that would employ approximately 850 workers. LED estimates that the project also would result in almost 4,000 indirect jobs, which means the total impact of the project would be nearly 5,000 new jobs in Southwest Louisiana. Full article.
Merger makes sense as Central LA seeks to grow
Central LA has no shortage of people and organizations interested in all matters related to economic development. In late 2003, The Rapides Foundation decided to form Cenla Advantage Partnership (CAP), a private, nonprofit economic development group. This week, it was announced that CAP will merge May 1 with the Central LA Economic Development Alliance. Important to note is that the reconstituted regional development alliance will quantify its efforts in a 10-parish region by tracking and reporting all jobs added, higher-paying jobs added and growth in the entrepreneurial economy. Full article.
E-Books come full circle
The shift to reading on multipurpose tablets is on. As tablet sales gain momentum, makers of e-readers look ready to do the same. The Barnes & Noble Nook Color will reportedly gain an app store next month, and Amazon just launched its own app store for Android devices earlier this week. The growing tablet market indicates people are looking for a mobile device that can do other things besides provide a solid e-book reading experience. Full article.
Restaurants ready to grow again
Restaurant chains, especially those in the burger and Asian segments, are set up for growth in 2011. Overall, U.S. retail expansion plans are up 40 percent this year over last, including chain stores and restaurant companies. Full article.
Signs of growth: Businesses are borrowing
Now that demand is up and business is finally improving for many companies, they're doing what they always do at the beginning of an expansion — calling the bank and asking for a loan. And—in stark contrast to the depths of the financial crisis, banks are saying yes. Loans are one of the best gauges of economic growth, and borrowing by smaller companies is being watched especially closely because it may indicate those companies are preparing to hire. Full Article.
Jobs: Passion—or a Steady Paycheck?
With unemployment stuck at or near double digits, more people seem to be choosing a passion over a steady paycheck. These people are taking matters into their own hands and defining their own jobs. The big question is whether this trend can evolve into a sustainable engine of economic growth. Two technological developments—cloud computing and social networking—have the potential to make that possible. Full Article.
Rural Businesses Grow Faster Together
Rural businesses grow bigger and faster when they are closer together. This is important because groups of related businesses — clusters — are now thought to be essential for economic growth. Businesses are more efficient when they are clustered. Clusters are perhaps even more valuable to the economy in rural America than in cities whose economies are more diversified. Full Article.
Roundtable Discussion Focusing on Jobs, Economic Growth Set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 in Alexandria
USDA Rural Development & the LA Office: Farm Service Agency will sponsor a roundtable discussion focusing on jobs and economic growth at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, in Alexandria. The event will be held at the Best Western of Alexandria Conference Center, 2720 North MacArthur Drive and is limited to invited guests. Full Article.
