text: BPCC defies trends, announces significant enrollment increase Despite reports of college enrollment struggles at the national and state levels, Bossier Parish Community College has reported a significant increase in students enrolling for the fall 2022 semester. Fall classes began on August 18 and 6,303 students have enrolled at BPCC; this represents a 12% increase over [...]
  By BIZ Magazine
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  Top Stories: Quality of life
  BRF opens state-of-the-art molecular imaging center In July, BRF positioned Shreveport as a leader in molecular imaging with the opening of its new $19.5 million, 23,000 square foot Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy (CMIT). The CMIT project, which included construction of the facility and acquisition of equipment, was supported by BRF, the State of [...]
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  Top Stories: Infrastructure
  Healthcare Corridor to get $27M upgrade Shreveport’s Healthcare Corridor will get a major upgrade thanks to a $22M grant. The investment will go towards major improvements to public transit and infrastructure thanks to the USDOT RAISE Grant. The announcement was made during a joint press conference in August with leaders from SporTran, The City of [...]
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  Top Stories: Business and Industry 2
  Noted economist calls CIC, Cyber Research Park ‘economic gem’ for NWLA The Cyber Innovation Center (CIC), the anchor of the National Cyber Research Park (NCRP), is fulfilling its promise to grow the economy and diversify the workforce of northwest Louisiana, according to a report by economist Dr. Loren Scott. The NCRP, consisting of four new [...]
  By BIZ Magazine
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  Top Stories: Business & Industry 1
  Economist shares promising outlook for NWLA’s economy The Shreveport-Bossier area was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is making a strong recovery. Economist Dr. Loren Scott presented an outlook on Louisiana’s economy during a stop last October at the Regional Commerce Center at the Port of Caddo-Bossier. This outlook predicted what Shreveport-Bossier can [...]
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  Top Story: $110M sawmill brings 500 jobs to Plain Dealing
  Gov. John Bel Edwards, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Secretary Don Pierson, Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation (GBEDF) and a host of regional and local collaborators joined Teal Jones Group leaders to hold a groundbreaking celebration in July at the site of the new southern yellow pine lumber plant that will support the creation of nearly [...]
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  Opinion
  Ralla: Make your mammogram happen!
  One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and the reality is when diagnosed early it is treatable and curable. Every 74 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. The American Cancer Society estimates that 287,850 [...]
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  Opinion
  Smith: ‘On the Cusp’ podcast to profile positives of area
  It’s no secret that podcasts are popular right now. There is such a variety of topics and speakers to choose from, and beginning October 5, the latest local podcast, On the Cusp, will premiere. Hosted by two local businessmen and Louisiana natives, Dave Smith and Matt Snyder focus on the how, when, and why we [...]
  By BIZ Magazine
  Opinion
  Guice: Tech Online offers flat-rate tuition for nationally recognized online programs
  Higher education offers transformational opportunities for students to improve their lives, but what if they can’t enroll on campus? Universities around the country continue to see students who are place-bound, have time restrictions, or encounter other barriers to earning a college degree or credential. These challenges also inhibit our ability to achieve the transformational impacts [...]
  By BIZ Magazine
  Opinion
  Clark: Louisiana’s historic investment in higher education
  During this past legislative session, the Louisiana Governor and Legislature were able to pass historic financial support for education across our state. The $159.2 million increase in funding for higher education was the largest state funding increase ever. This 12% boost in higher ed funding will allow for the further advancement and increased access to [...]
  By BIZ Magazine
  Opinion
  Spohn: CIC is securing our future today
  For the past 14 years, Cyber Innovation Center (CIC) has been the catalyst for growth right here in our region. CIC and its partners are blessed to continue this endeavor thanks to the continued support of Louisiana’s congressional delegation. During this appropriation cycle, Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy secured $8M that will further the [...]
  By BIZ Magazine
  Opinion
  Specht: 40 Under Forty class equals Progress
  This edition is our yearly economic wrap up called NWLA Progress. This yearly snapshot promotes the best news and messages across northwest Louisiana’s economy, business and industry, higher education, infrastructure, and quality of life. Our goal is to give our regular distribution network for BIZ., as well as other economic development officials, another weapon in [...]