Baton Rouge SWOT task force sets Feb. 5 meeting, invites LED, DOTD and workforce officials to present

The Baton Rouge SWOT Analysis Study Commission on Jan. 16 set its next meeting for Friday, Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. and asked Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and workforce representatives to present their assessments of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing East Baton Rouge Parish.

Senator Regina Barrow, the commission chair, said the task force has been cataloging local strengths and weaknesses and that agency briefings would help the group identify what the parish has done differently to remain resilient through national economic challenges. "We have a lot of great things that are happening in Baton Rouge and we don't toot our own horn enough," Barrow said.

Barrow flagged public safety as a priority for analysis, noting the commission has observed a "significant amount of crime in the very first part of this year" and said the group should examine contributing factors as part of its SWOT work. The chair asked staff and counsel to invite LED, DOTD and workforce officials to the Feb. 5 meeting; she said the Port Authority, law enforcement and the East Baton Rouge Parish school system would be invited to a subsequent session.

Presenters at the meeting included Carmen Johnson, who identified herself as representing the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District. "The (district) has been supporting workforce initiatives and small business initiatives," Johnson said, thanking the commission for the invitation and urging continued coordination.

Dean Jones, representing the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership (BRAC), told the commission BRAC is "excited to work with everyone on this task force and look forward to some great outcomes for East Baton Rouge Parish." Jones said more in-depth information and additional attendees will be provided at future meetings.

An unidentified speaker provided a status update on the PIKU interchange, saying the bridge and interchanges were open for some public use while final work such as signals continued. "Bridge is open... It'll be a 100% in just a few more weeks," the speaker said.

Senator Rick Edmonds made the motion to adjourn; seeing no objection, the chair declared the meeting adjourned and reiterated the Feb. 5 meeting date. No formal vote tally was recorded in the transcript.

The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 5 at 10 a.m.; staff were asked to notify the invited agencies and to prepare for presentations on infrastructure, workforce and economic development.