Sam’s Club Opening a Record-Breaking Success!
Yesterday morning I spoke briefly at the official ribbon cutting for the Sam’s Club in our River Chase development. The parish president, all of the area mayors, several council members and a crowd waiting for the doors to open were all gathered. It was great to see so many people excited about the store opening.
Monday night was the store’s soft opening and it was equally crowded. The Sam’s Club parking lot was full, plus there were about 300 extra cars parked on the street and in nearby lots. The manager, Chris Cuevas, told me that the soft opening was a record for Sam’s Club.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this store sets many more records.
Walgreens on Magazine – Update 10/25/12
Things are moving fast at Magazine Street Walgreens. We now have laid the starting course of cast stone on the front elevation, from there on up we will see the brick veneer going up which will help define the window openings. The roofing is now complete, building totally dried in and HVAC Units are in place. Ductwork is now underway inside as well as a flurry of activity of Drywall Studwork, Electrical Rough-in and some of the remaining selective demolishing work. The Walgreens specified tile flooring is being manufactured and due to ship from Italy in early December, this store will not look like your typical Walgreens….we can’t wait to see it either!
Louisiana Continues to Leap Forward in All Areas
Leading economic development magazine Area Development has just released its 2012 “Top States for Doing Business” survey of national site selectors, and Louisiana has posted its best showing ever:
- #1 in Cooperative State Government
- #2 in Incentives Programs
- #2 in Economic Recovery
- #3 in Leading Workforce Development Programs
- #3 in Speed of Permitting
- #4 in Overall Business Environment
- #4 in Cost of Doing Business
- #5 in Labor Climate
- #6 Top State for Doing Business
This is a remarkable set of top-10 votes for Louisiana from national economic development consultants; you can see the full report here.
These latest rankings are just another example of what we see happening all around us. Louisiana continues to leap forward in all areas – jobs, economic development, business climate, entrepreneurship, etc. As I tell people around the country the “Louisiana Story”, their reactions are somewhere between amazement and skepticism. I can tell some of them flatly don’t believe a word I am saying.
That is what makes telling the story even more remarkable.
Walgreens on Magazine – Update 10/15/12
The Magazine Street Walgreens project is really taking shape, the great weather has allowed the roofing to be completed as well as the final topping out of the new rear wall. The front façade stone and brick were delivered last week, and final touches on the front were done to allow the veneer to start today, Monday October 15th. Interior progress is moving along at a fast pace, drywall framing, sprinkler rough in, electrical and plumbing rough in work is happening just about everywhere you look.
Southeast Super-Region Committee awarded gold medal by IEDC
Just a few short years ago, I was interviewed by a reporter for an article focusing on the extreme divisiveness, dislike and disdain between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. At that time, I even wrote an opinion column, The Feud is Fading, pointing out the futility in this situation and how it was preventing our region from competing nationally and globally.
It was from those roots that discussions began among a small group who had business interests which cross parish lines, from New Orleans and Baton Rouge, to form the Southeast Super- Region Committee. So today it is truly exciting and gratifying to have the Super-Region Committee being recognized for an award for cross collaboration by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
To me, this represents hope for the continued future success of our region.
Click here to see the article released by Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Walgreens on Magazine – Update 9/21/12
The Front Elevation of the Magazine Street Walgreens is now taking shape with the installation of the Structural Steel Framing and Heavy Gauge Metal Stud Work. The front sidewalk (not seen) will also be completely replaced with new concrete and brick paver accents to create a beautiful new entry point for the store. The inside of the store is buzzing with Construction Activities this week with Electrical, Mechanical, Roofing, Metal Stud Framing, Concrete and Masonry work everywhere. We are making great progress, stay tuned for more.
