Forbes: New Orleans #1 for “Brainpower” in the USA
Another ranking was recently announced that reinforces the growing trend of New Orleans being one of the leading places for young people to locate. It is one of the most exciting transformations I have ever seen and one of the most encouraging signs for our future.
Forbes has ranked Greater New Orleans tied for first in America for growth in college grads from 2007 – 2012, earning the title #1 “Brainpower City” in the USA. The New Orleans metro gained 44,000 grads from 2007 to 2012, a 20.3% increase, nearly double the national average of 10.9%. The author of the article, Joel Kotkin, explains that Greater New Orleans is the leader of a broader national trend: “Unable to afford to settle long-term in traditional “brain centers,” educated people are increasingly looking for places that have strong economies but also many of the cultural and natural amenities associated with the traditional meccas for the educated.”
The Top 10 “Brainpower Cities” in the USA are:
1. New Orleans metro
1. San Antonio (tie)
3. Austin
4. Nashville
5. Louisville
6. Houston
7. Denver
8. Salt Lake City
9. Jacksonville
10. Raleigh
You can read the entire article here.
ACREcon Keynote Presentation
Last week I traveled to Birmingham to deliver the keynote address at ACREcon, the annual conference hosted by the Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE). ACRE is a well-organized, statewide commercial real estate group and I was honored to be asked to speak at their event. I was very impressed with the meeting and the record-setting attendance.
During the presentation, I introduced myself and Stirling Properties to many in the ACREcon audience who weren’t familiar with us and discussed our decision to open an office in Mobile – our first in Alabama. Emphasizing the importance of regionalism, I also discussed the rise of the Gulf Coast into the National spotlight and the significant economic drivers that are shaping the region’s future growth.
Click the image below to view the presentation slides from my keynote.
Perkins Rowe: Excited for the Future!
Earlier this week we announced that Stirling Properties was awarded the contract for Leasing, Sales, and Property and Construction Management for Perkins Rowe. Our entire team is thrilled to work on such a high-profile property in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The future opportunities at Perkins Rowe are very bright and we are excited to be moving forward in all aspects of Perkins Rowe – Retail, Office, Apartments and Condominiums. We hope you stay tuned for more exciting information to come in the future!
President’s Message: Forging Ahead in 2014
It hardly seems possible that we are beginning another year. It seems as if I was just emailing about the start of “Lucky 13“!
“Lucky 13” kicked off with our announcement of a joint venture with CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. to develop Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana, and in just 2 months, we will have the grand opening of Phase I. The year ended with the successful closing of the land acquisition and development financing for Magnolia Marketplace in New Orleans, a partnership with JCH Development that will break ground this month.
In between those 2013 bookends, we also accomplished:
- Openings of Walgreens on Magazine Street in New Orleans and in Gulfport, MS
- Securing contract for management of Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier City
- Grand opening of Mid-City Market in New Orleans
- Opening of our Mobile, AL office
- Expansions of our existing shopping centers – Stirling Bossier, Stirling Lafayette, River Chase (Covington) and MacArthur Village (Alexandria)
- Renovation of Tiger Manor Apartments in Baton Rouge
- Financing of over $174 Million
- Acquisition of United Plaza VIII in Baton Rouge
As proud as I am of our team for all of these accomplishments and more, I am even more proud of the spirit of team and caring for others. Through the leadership of the Stirling Stewardship Committee, the Stirling team significantly contributed money, essential items, and most importantly generously volunteered their personal time for causes such as Habitat for Humanity, food collection drives, breast cancer walks, YMCA Corporate Cup and Volunteers of America’s Christmas Wish Project.
It is because of this talented, dedicated, and motivated team that we are able to achieve so much. I am proud to be part of such a team. Looking ahead to 2014, it will be a very exciting year for Stirling as well as the Gulf South.
New Orleans: A City of Possibility
A recent email from Michael Hecht, CEO of GNO Inc., highlighted another positive ranking for New Orleans. The city was named as one of the Top 20 “Cities of Possibility” in the World in Good magazine’s new “Good City Index”. To create this list of global “cities they are betting on,” the magazine looked at a combination of factors:
- “Hub for Progress”
- Civic Engagement
- Transportation
- “Local Vibes”
- Green Space
- Diversity
- Signature Movements
- Work/Life Balance
Driven by “a spirit of self-determination that has been a powerful driving force over the past eight years,” New Orleans shares the global recognition with:
- Mexico City
- Singapore
- Budapest
- Nairobi
- Seoul
- Johannesburg
- Istanbul
- Beirut
- Rio De Janeiro
- Buenos Aires
- Montreal
- Paris
- Perth
- Tel Aviv
- Santiago
- Kuala Lumpur
- Accra
- Atlanta
- Wellington (NZ)
Certainly, this is an impressive list of global cities to be ranked amongst. It is yet another testament to how far we have come. While much work remains, it is truly an exciting time to be a part of the NEW New Orleans.
National Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Online Sales Tax Collection at Time of Purchase
As a follow-up to one of my previous President’s Messages about the Marketplace Fairness Act, I wanted to comment about a recently conducted national poll by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
The results of the poll show that the majority of American consumers (64%) are aware that they are required to pay state sales or use tax on online purchases, if not collected by the online seller, when they file their state income tax. However, other research indicates that over 98% don’t report such purchases. The poll also shows that 78% of voters feel it would be easier to pay state sales or use tax on online purchases at the time-of-purchase, rather than through special forms or when they file their state income taxes.
This poll is proof that the public is aware that this is NOT A NEW TAX, but rather one that isn’t being paid because it slips through the loopholes in the law. The current loophole is draining our state and local governments of desperately needed revenues for education, health care, police, firefighters and teacher pay, etc. Estimates of lost sales taxes in Louisiana alone due to internet sales range up to $800 million.
There is now overwhelming support for the collection of online sales tax at the time of purchase. We need to close this loophole NOW before it doubles in size.
You can read more about the poll results in this ICSC Press Release.
