"VOLUNTEERISM and CITIZEN SERVICE must lead Louisiana's recovery effort." -Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu The Louisiana Serve Commission is pleased to announce Volunteer Louisiana, a website and call center that matches volunteers with service opportunities throughout the state. Visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov or call 866-286-3835 or 225-342-3070 to find out how you can begin a summer of service.

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As Lieutenant Governor, my personal goal is to make Louisiana the beacon of a New South. Everything we do here will be aimed at letting the world know that Louisiana is not only a great place to visit, but a great place to live, to work and to play. That is our goal. That is our mission. Periodically, we will feature excerpts from our travels around the state and the new initiatives taking place throughout Louisiana. Please check back often, or sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest information.

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CENLA is ‘a shining example of working together to promote economic development’

Lt. Gov. Landrieu addressed members of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce about the ways Louisiana is working to attract businesses to the state.  Landrieu also explained the vital role that culture, recreation and tourism play in the state’s economy.  He praised central Louisiana for past efforts and successes in developing local cultural economies.  “You folks ought to pat yourselves on the back,” Landrieu said.  “I use this area as a good example for the rest of the state.”

Alexandria Mayor Ned Randolph, Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields, Lt. Gov. Landrieu and CENLA Chamber president, Mike Johnson convened for an economic development forum in central Louisiana.

Landrieu encouraged residents and business leaders to keep working and thinking regionally, which will allow the area to compete globally.  CENLA showed they shared the Lt. Governor’s viewpoint, as the Chamber’s chosen theme for the forum was “Unlimited Potential – Working Together.”  The meeting was well attended by local officials and business leaders.  Participants represented over 32 groups involved in economic development from different regions in central Louisiana. 

The forum focused on realizing Central Louisiana’s assets and opportunities through local partnerships. The organizers of the forum included the local chamber, the CVB and the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority.

Although CENLA, in many ways, already had the logistics of working together as a region, this meeting marked the first occasion that a large number of community stakeholders and regional economic development leaders physically came together in one room to focus resources and efforts together towards the same goals.

To learn more about Landrieu’s trip to CENLA, please visit: www.thetowntalk.com/landrieu

The importance of Louisiana’s arts and culture in building the local economy was the center of Lt. Gov. Landrieu’s message at the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce’s retreat held in New Orleans.  Landrieu stressed the musical and cultural treasures - so unique to South Louisiana - are valuable commodities for both national and international visitors. 

Landrieu praised Lafayette community leaders for not looking at other regions of the state as competition, but as partners. He commended the Chamber for their efforts to work with other cultural economy development efforts, like those in the New Orleans area, which will help Louisiana compete for tourism on a global level.  Tourism revenues – which are largely made up of cultural industries – make up the state’s second largest industry, producing $9.4 billion annually.  

Chamber members were also given the opportunity to ask Landrieu questions about creative industries in Louisiana and the Lafayette area.  Many questions involved the film and music industries, where Landrieu stressed the significance of building an infrastructure, which is hinged on education.  “The first thing that needs to change is to fix the public school system,” Landrieu said.  “We can improve the arts, film, oil and gas, but that’s all inconsequential without improving our schools.”   

     Lt. Gov. Landrieu discussed the economic development opportunities of Louisiana’s cultural economy with Lafayette Chamber of Commerce members.  The weekend session was held in New Orleans.

To learn more about the Chamber’s weekend in New Orleans, please visit:
http://www.acadiananow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050307/NEWS01/503070329/1002
http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?NoCache=1&Dato=20050306&Kategori=BUSINESS&Lopenr=50306005&Ref=AR

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu described the Shaw Center for the Arts, the first center of its kind in the Baton Rouge area, as one of Louisiana’s bright lights for art and culture.  The Shaw Center hopes to be an incubator for some of Louisiana’s creative industries, such as visual and performing arts. 

At the Grand opening of the Shaw Center for the Arts, Lt. Gov. Landrieu visits with patrons to discuss the importance of arts and culture to Louisiana.

Landrieu touted the Shaw Center as Baton Rouge’s downtown crown jewel – a state-of-the-art Center that is comparable to art houses in New York and Europe.  The Shaw Center looks to attract attention to Louisiana’s unique culture and art, as well as bring new life to the growing economy in downtown Baton Rouge.

The Shaw Center features the large Manship Theatre, two black-box theatres for dance, music and performing arts, the LSU Museum of Art, LSU’s Laboratory for Creative Arts and Technology, the LSU School of Art’s Gallery, the Art’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge and the Brunner Gallery of contemporary art.  Patrons will also enjoy the park, water fountain and sculpture garden on the grounds.  The Shaw Center also celebrates culinary arts with the Capitol City Grill and the Lafayette-based sushi bar and grill – Tsunami.