Leaders for a Better Louisiana

08/28/2026

🚀It’s Positive Friday! Could we have just seen the best two-week run in economic development in the state’s history? 👀

In just two weeks:

🚀Space X: Up to 3,000 jobs and $100 billion investment
📦Amazon: $18 billion investment and 750 jobs in Shreveport
🏭CF Industries: $4 billion groundbreaking for the world’s largest low-carbon ammonia production site

The future is looking BIG for Louisiana.👏

08/20/2026

A great keynote conversation with Margaret Spellings at Future LA! We’re grateful to Margaret for sharing her insights on education, workforce development, and preparing Louisiana for the future. 💡🎓

08/20/2026

Our mayoral panel brought valuable perspectives on local leadership, community development, and the work happening across Louisiana. Thank you to our panelists for joining us and sharing their ideas at Future LA! 👏

08/20/2026

🏗️Huge thank you to guest speakers Steve Robinson, Pete Williams, Taylor Gravois, Russell Mosely, and Kelly Longwell for an informative Community Development Track 3 session on development financing in Texas and Florida!

08/20/2026

💡”Be comfortable being bold. We have to start executing outside of the box instead of thinking outside of the box. Push through negativity.” – Mayor Ken Ritter, Future Louisiana 2026.

Thank you to guest speakers John Green, PhD and Mayor Ken Ritter for sharing insights on the importance of cross-sector collaboration, building trust across community boundaries, and preparing ahead of time to turn ideas into action toward rural revitalization.

08/20/2026

📚“In Indiana, the diploma isn’t the end of the journey. It’s the beginning. Into more learning. Into training. Into work.” – Paul Ketcham, Future Louisiana 2026.

A big thank you to our guest speakers Paul Ketcham, Cassie Squillace, Jay Styles, and Rep. Ken Brass for sharing insights on how Indiana is helping students find pathways from the classroom to meaningful careers.

08/14/2026

🌟It’s Positive Friday!

🚧Louisiana is leading the nation in construction job growth, adding 10,500 jobs over the past year. This is a strong sign of momentum and opportunity across our state 👏.

Read the full Business Report article here:

Louisiana posted the nation’s highest construction employment growth rate over the past year, with employment rising 7.7%.

08/13/2026

Meet Paul Pastorek, one of our featured speakers for Future Louisiana 2026! 🎓 Join us for Breakout Session 1, “Ideas for Workforce and Education,” as Paul brings decades of experience in education policy and accountability to the conversation on K-12 education funding.

📍 Lake Charles | August 19–20
Click here to register: betterla.org/events

08/13/2026

Meet Alex Spurrier, one of our featured speakers for Future Louisiana 2026! 🎓 He will discuss how states are rethinking K-12 education funding and what Louisiana can learn from their approaches.
📍 Lake Charles | August 19–20
Register here: betterla.org/events

08/13/2026

Join us at Future Louisiana 2026! Hear from Wesley Wei during our breakout session, “Ideas for Workforce and Education,” as he explores K-12 education funding and lessons from other states. 🎓

📍 Lake Charles | August 19–20
Register here: betterla.org/events