AGP Executive Report

CDL Overhaul: New federal rules starting in 2026 will tighten Louisiana’s CDL enforcement, including stricter English-language checks and electronic medical certification requirements, which could change how drivers test, renew, and stay compliant. Research & Workforce: LSU Health Shreveport and Louisiana Tech signed a formal research partnership to expand shared labs, training, and joint grant work—pairing biomedical strength with engineering and advanced manufacturing expertise. New Orleans Water Oversight: Mayor Helena Moreno’s Sewerage and Water Board nominees face City Council confirmation as the city moves toward broader long-term oversight and reforms tied to reliability and public trust. Utilities & Data Centers: Entergy Louisiana paused its Cottonwood power-plant acquisition proceedings as regulators and investors question how data-center demand could affect resident costs. Construction Compliance: Jefferson Parish’s inspector general says the permits department mishandled third-party residential inspections, including accepting unregistered inspectors and missing required photo documentation. Coastal Resilience: Plans are advancing to rebuild Raccoon Island with Deepwater Horizon settlement funds, aiming to expand the barrier island to better protect Gulf Coast communities from storms. Energy Markets: Nat-gas prices slipped on bigger U.S. supplies and cooler-weather forecasts that may reduce power demand. Housing & Community Growth: Xavier University is opening a nearly $81 million, 7-story residence village for more than 800 students, easing off-campus housing pressure. Consumer & Labor: Walmart agreed to pay Louisiana $1.05M to settle claims tied to its Spark Driver pay and tip practices. Agriculture & Public Debate: Solar misinformation backlash continues in Cajun Country, with residents and officials wrestling over how to evaluate proposed solar projects.

LNG & Port Fourchon: Argent LNG formally submitted its waterway suitability assessment to the U.S. Coast Guard for its proposed 25 million tpy LNG export terminal at Port Fourchon, a key step alongside its FERC and DOE actions. Energy & Grid Politics: Entergy Louisiana’s plan to build gas plants tied to Meta’s AI data center drew pushback from utility watchdogs and advocates, who urged regulators to slow down and demanded more public information. Workforce & Training: SOWELA Technical Community College in Oakdale opened a new multipurpose training space and STEM energy showcase projects funded by ExxonMobil, expanding hands-on capacity for local learners and educators. Education Infrastructure: Pointe Coupee Parish replaced long-used temporary school buildings with new classrooms, added STEM learning spaces, and is rolling out a STAR Academy program plus a new welding shop. Sports NIL Oversight: Louisiana now requires athlete-agent and attorney registration for NIL representation, including background checks and mandatory training, with the law taking effect Aug. 1. Local Business & Permitting: Shreveport’s “Block by Block” revitalization and permitting reforms won international Bronze Excellence awards from the International Economic Development Council. Food Safety: In Shreveport–Bossier, six restaurants had three or more critical health violations in July 20–26 inspections, according to the state’s retail food dashboard. Industry Finance: Westlake and Westlake Chemical Partners reported improved second-quarter results, including higher net income/EBITDA and ongoing distribution coverage. Agriculture & Livestock: Louisiana’s 50th annual racehorse auction at Coushatta generated more than $6.2M in sales, with 329 quarter horses sold.

Nuclear Policy & Jobs: Gov. Bill Lee says it’s “too early” to pick sites, but Louisiana is among states in DOE’s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus push—Idaho would have to accept spent fuel and high-level waste, while the federal plan promises major investment and job creation. Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Louisiana Attorney General Hanaway backed the “STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act,” urging Congress to expand state Medicaid Fraud Control Unit authority to pursue beneficiary and recipient fraud. Insurance Market Watch: Greater New Orleans Inc. reports homeowners insurance is stabilizing after 2024-25 reforms, with more carriers entering and rate decreases filing this year. Tourism Hiring: New Orleans & Company will host a free Hospitality & Tourism Job Fest Aug. 13 at the Joy Theater, connecting job seekers with major local employers. Storm Damage to Agriculture: Tropical Storm Arthur caused $112M+ in Louisiana agriculture and infrastructure losses, with Avoyelles Parish hit hardest. Road & Construction Updates: LA 34 in Jackson Parish will close Aug. 8-9 for cross-drain pipe replacement. Energy & Industry Finance: Westlake Chemical Partners declared a quarterly distribution of $0.4714 per unit payable Aug. 28. Local Education & Workforce: JS Clark Leadership Academy opened a $20M high school campus in Opelousas with allied health training and dual-degree pathways.

Coastal Resilience: State and federal officials are planning a major Raccoon Island restoration and expansion, using Deepwater Horizon settlement funds, with raised breakwaters and new living oyster reefs to protect nesting habitat and about 200,000 coastal homes from storm surges. Energy & Trade: QatarEnergy is buying Louisiana-produced LNG to keep Asian contracts on track after Middle East disruptions, underscoring how Gulf shipping chokepoints can quickly reshape global gas flows. Industrial Growth: Hyundai Steel says it will press ahead with its planned integrated electric arc furnace mill in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, targeting operations in 2029 despite weaker earnings and tariff pressure. Local Infrastructure Oversight: New Orleans is taking steps to shift control of the Sewerage and Water Board to the city, a move that could reshape how utilities are run and funded. Workforce & Safety: Athletic trainers and high school sports officials are urging heat-safety changes for football linemen after recent Louisiana and Arkansas heat-related hospitalizations. Food & Families: SNAP participation is dropping sharply nationwide, with more than 4 million people already losing benefits amid sweeping program changes—raising pressure on Louisiana households and local service providers. Education & Training: Northshore Technical Community College sets its Fall 2026 start for Aug. 19, with open registration through Aug. 18.

Workforce & Education: Northshore Technical Community College set Fall 2026 classes to start Aug. 19, with registration open through Aug. 18 across its Lacombe, Hammond, Bogalusa, Walker and Greensburg campuses. Public Health: Louisiana LDH confirmed Salmonella cases tied to a recall of 1.5M+ dozen shell eggs from Midwest Poultry Services, urging shoppers to check carton lot/plant codes and Julian dates and avoid affected eggs. Energy & Data Centers: Entergy outlined a proposed deal with Meta aimed at shielding Louisiana ratepayers from data-center infrastructure costs, projecting $2.65B in customer savings over 20 years while touting local jobs and tax impacts. Coastal Restoration: New Orleans’ annual helicopter “Christmas tree drop” program is credited with restoring marsh equal to nearly 200 football fields by trapping mud and helping wetlands regrow. College Sports Funding: A new Louisiana law routes sports gambling tax revenue to athletics programs, but spending details may be hard to track because reporting isn’t required. Agriculture (NWLA): A Caddo Parish produce-farm profile highlights how local growers run from harvest to farm-stand sales, showing the region’s niche produce business.

Agriculture in NWLA: Caddo Parish produce farmer Scott Ryan says his family-row-crop roots led him to a niche—Ryan Farms Produce now grows tomatoes, sweet corn, okra, peas, melons and more for retail and wholesale at the farm stand. Higher Ed & Sports Funding: A new Louisiana law routes sports gambling tax money to Division I programs, but spending details may stay murky because schools face no reporting requirements. Public Health & Industry Accountability: A Louisiana Illuminator/Floodlight investigation says toxic-air monitoring often misses major industrial sources along the Baton Rouge–New Orleans corridor, leaving residents in the dark. Energy & Data Centers: A Politico report highlights backlash to data-center deals, including claims that Louisiana officials offered Meta secret tax and land-use terms—fueling local distrust. Consumer Protection: Louisiana’s debit-card surcharge ban takes effect, expanding the AG’s enforcement power and giving customers a path to damages. Workforce Development: Meta’s America’s Workforce Academy is bringing paid, job-guaranteed training to Louisiana as data-center buildouts ramp up. Local Business/Community: Plaquemines Parish citrus farmer Ben Becnel Sr. dies at 83.

Data Center Backlash: A Politico report says Trump-backed AI data center plans are still triggering local revolt, with Louisiana officials’ reported secret tax and land-use deal for Meta cited as a trust-breaker. Consumer Protection: Louisiana’s debit card surcharge ban took effect, giving shoppers new rights and expanding the AG’s enforcement power. Auto Insurance Relief: State Farm will send Louisiana drivers $136 million in dividends, about $138 per vehicle on average. Energy & Industry Leadership: Gov. Jeff Landry named Chad Sonnier as Louisiana state fire marshal, promoting Bryan Adams within the Department of Public Safety. Agriculture Loss: Plaquemines Parish citrus and tomato farmer Ben Becnel Sr. died at 83. Workforce Training: Meta’s America’s Workforce Academy is paying older workers to learn trades tied to data-center construction, with Louisiana listed among training locations. Food Safety Confidence: A national poll finds low confidence in government food-safety oversight as Cyclospora cases top 20,000. Local Business Expansion: Parish Tractor acquired Crain Tractor in Mississippi, adding another equipment hub across the region.

Nuclear Industry Push: The U.S. Department of Energy picked Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho as the first potential hosts for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, aiming to build full nuclear fuel-cycle ecosystems that could include enrichment, fuel fabrication, waste disposal and even co-located power and data centers. Energy Reliability: A federal emergency order covers Louisiana and 16 other states as extreme heat strains the grid, giving the Southwest Power Pool authority to dispatch generation to reduce blackout risk. Agriculture Under Pressure: Louisiana rice farmers are battling tight margins as fertilizer and operating costs soar while rice prices lag, with growers in Acadia Parish pushing through harvest despite the squeeze. Food Safety: Louisiana is among states affected by a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs produced in Texas, with health officials urging attention to symptoms and recall details. Consumer & Labor Enforcement: Attorney General Liz Murrill announced a $1 million-plus Walmart settlement over alleged misrepresentations in its Spark Driver delivery pay and tip practices. Industrial Expansion: Faith Technologies Inc. (FTI) broke ground on an $80M manufacturing facility in Ouachita Parish, targeting 200+ jobs for its Excellerate brand. Public Sector Oversight: New Orleans approved changes increasing City Council control over Sewerage and Water Board oversight, alongside new rules on debit card surcharges and balloon restrictions.

Meta Records Fight: A Louisiana Public Service Commission judge declined to revisit her order forcing Meta to turn over data on its Louisiana data center costs and power needs, sending the dispute to the full commission for review at its Aug. 12 meeting. Food Safety: LDH urged Louisianans to discard or return recalled shell eggs tied to a Salmonella outbreak after seven cases were reported in the state, including three hospitalizations. Fraud Crackdown: Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order launching a Louisiana Taxpayer Protection Initiative that pushes AI and data-sharing across state and federal agencies to stop fraud and waste. Energy & Grid: CenterPoint Energy raised its ten-year investment plan by $1.2 billion as data center load demand grows, reflecting ERCOT’s new large-load interconnection process. Coastal Resilience: In Abbeville, officials updated residents on the Southwest Coastal Home Elevation Project, adding $120 million and citing cost-effective elevation over levees for a flat, spread-out region. Business Real Estate: Central City Millworks’ industrial site in New Orleans hit the market for about $2M as the owner weighs relocation or a sale-leaseback. Legal & Consumer Protection: AG Liz Murrill announced a $1M settlement with Walmart over alleged misrepresentations in its Spark Driver pay and tip practices. Public Safety/Construction: DOTD scheduled intermittent I-20 and I-220 bridge deck cleaning lane/shoulder closures in Caddo and Bossier Parishes Aug. 1-2. Local Development: Donaldsonville advanced plans for a roughly 130-home subdivision with natural gas service slated throughout.

Nuclear & Energy Policy: Louisiana is positioning itself for a federal nuclear push, with a three-part plan covering uranium enrichment research in Baton Rouge, power deployment for data centers, and offshore nuclear waste storage in the Gulf—though the waste plan raises big questions. College Sports Finance: LSU is convening major sports donors at the Governor’s Mansion to discuss a new “alternative revenue” model, signaling how hard college athletics is being squeezed financially. Coastal & Aerospace Regulation: FAA proposed rule changes could let rocket launch and reentry projects bypass major environmental laws, with south Louisiana’s coastal sites like Pecan Island in the spotlight. Water & Infrastructure: The Army Corps says all 23 Comite Diversion Project contracts are awarded, with the 12-mile canal on track for spring 2028 completion. Construction & Jobs: New federal data shows Louisiana added construction jobs over the past year, with the state among the biggest percentage gainers. Public Safety & Heat: Louisiana heat is driving more heat-stress risk for outdoor workers, as roof surfaces can soar near 130°F. Local Business Growth: Buc-ee’s construction is moving in Ruston, and the company is now hiring for early roles. Legal & Industry Fraud: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill’s LBI arrested a Slidell disbarred attorney and CPA accused of embezzling more than $2.5 million from a clay mining company.

Biochemical & Biofuels Watch: USA Biochem CEO Nick Andrews denied rumors that the Bon Wier, East Texas-area property was sold or leased for a data center, saying the company still owns the 1,600 acres and is moving forward with its planned biomass-to-jet-fuel project. Water & Public Health: Opelousas reported scheduled main-line repairs that may cause low pressure or discoloration, while Abbeville issued a system-wide boil water advisory for residents and businesses until testing clears the water. Industrial Environment: Sierra Club urged Louisiana regulators to demand deeper economic and environmental review before issuing an air permit for Hyundai Steel, citing gaps in analysis under the state’s public trust doctrine. Workforce & Trucking: The FMCSA expanded its Military Skills Test Waiver under the Freedom Haulers initiative, giving eligible veterans up to two years after service to earn a CDL without retaking the skills test, and Louisiana is among states joining related programs. Local Governance & Utilities: New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno’s sewerage and water board overhaul reached City Council, with proposals that would shift major budget and contract authority toward the council. Energy Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order for extreme heat, allowing backup generation dispatch in 17 states including Louisiana to reduce blackout risk. Fraud Enforcement: Louisiana U.S. attorneys highlighted recent fraud prosecutions tied to federal efforts to crack down on misuse of taxpayer dollars. Construction & Skills: Baton Rouge-area and statewide training momentum continues, including a $420,000 Lowe’s Foundation grant to expand electrician training at a Northeast Iowa community college. Sports Business: The Saints secured WR Chris Olave with a four-year, up to $132M extension, keeping him under contract through the 2030 season.

Nuclear Dealmaking: Louisiana is a finalist for the DOE’s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, pitching a plan to store radioactive waste under the Gulf while positioning the state for next-generation nuclear work tied to data-center-driven power demand. Construction & Jobs: The Associated General Contractors warns construction hiring is stagnant in more than half of U.S. metros, but Baton Rouge stands out with a 22% jump in construction employment from June 2025 to June 2026. Acadiana Manufacturing: NPK Access Solutions will invest $40M to expand its Carencro composite matting plant by 50%, adding 40 permanent jobs (plus about 70 temporary construction roles) with construction starting in September. Energy & Industry Finance: bp has started up its Atlantis Major Facility Expansion in the Gulf of America, adding two subsea water injection wells to extend production life. Data Centers & Local Rules: New Orleans planners are moving toward new rules that would allow smaller data centers, as residents and officials debate water and power impacts. Food & Agriculture: USDA is putting $35M toward feral swine control partnerships, while Louisiana ranks third-highest for food-insecure adults. Public Health & Utilities: Boil water advisories hit parts of Acadiana after water main and pressure issues. Tech Earnings Watch: Meta reported record revenue but weak free cash flow and higher AI spending, keeping investors nervous.

Nuclear Fuel Talks: The U.S. Department of Energy picked Louisiana for talks on a potential nuclear lifecycle innovation campus, joining Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Idaho—an effort aimed at fuel processing and recycling that could mean billions in investment and high-tech jobs. Data Center Growth & Local Business: Meta’s massive Richland Parish data center build is already boosting hiring and sales for local suppliers and service firms as construction ramps up. Grid Strain & Heat Risk: Another heat advisory hit Acadiana, while the DOE issued an emergency order for the Southwest Power Pool to keep reliability steady as demand spikes. Industrial Materials Reuse: A South Louisiana firm is turning retired offshore drilling risers into lighter recycled construction aggregate for roads, parking and marine projects, cutting landfill waste and hauling weight. Workforce Pipeline: unCommon Construction is expanding a paid Baton Rouge construction apprenticeship model for ages 16–20, pairing students with industry jobs and scholarships. Manufacturing Expansion: NPK Access Solutions plans a $40M expansion in Carencro, adding 38 jobs and boosting production capacity. Education & Training: ITI Technical College earned ACCSC “School of Excellence” status for the second straight cycle, citing strong student outcomes and compliance. Infrastructure Advocacy: The Transportation Construction Coalition is pushing Congress for long-term surface transportation funding, using Louisiana’s I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge replacement as a case study on freight delays and costs.

AI Infrastructure Finance: Meta is paying about 7.5% to borrow $12.5B for a roughly one-gigawatt El Paso data center campus, with BlackRock-backed funds owning 80% and Meta taking a 20% stake while leasing the capacity. Local Governance & Growth: Iberville Parish is paving the way for road upgrades, with a servitude deal for Jesse Romig Drive and progress on La. 995 (Avondale Road) nearing completion. Data Centers, But Make It Local: At a national NaCO conference, Louisiana officials flagged concerns beyond economics—especially noise impacts on livestock and pets and pressure on local water supplies—pushing for smarter ordinances. Energy & Climate Costs: Louisiana HVAC pros warn extreme heat is stressing AC systems and driving up bills, urging routine maintenance and filter changes. Solar Payback Shrinks: Across the U.S., states are cutting rooftop solar credits, and Louisiana’s lower-value net metering makes payback harder. Agriculture & Trade: House Speaker Mike Johnson met Louisiana farmers to discuss fuel, fertilizer, and import competition squeezing commodities like rice, sugarcane, beef, and timber. Nuclear Fuel Cycle: DOE named Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho as potential host states for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, setting up major workforce and investment talks. Construction Materials Watch: Canadian wildfires and proposed tariffs are pushing up wood-product prices, raising the odds of higher housing costs. Manufacturing Software Win: Ruston-based QMS2GO won Hermes Creative Awards Gold for its AI-native ISO 9001 quality management platform.

Nuclear Fuel Push: The U.S. Department of Energy named Tennessee, Louisiana, Utah, Oklahoma and Idaho as potential host states for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, aiming to modernize the full nuclear fuel cycle and potentially spur up to $50B in investment and tens of thousands of jobs. Food Safety Watch: FDA officials told New Orleans food-safety experts the U.S. food supply is safe even as cyclospora cases hit record levels and a multistate salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs continues to grow. Local Energy & Industry: Shreveport leaders celebrated progress on the Petro Tower Lofts redevelopment, a $30M plan to convert the historic Petroleum Tower into 117 apartments plus retail. Public Safety Operations: Baton Rouge police say the landfill search for Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is still ongoing with no end date, reporting expanded daily processing and more than 1,000 tons handled so far. Workforce & Agriculture: USDA is making $35M available for partnerships to respond to feral swine, including Louisiana, with projects aimed at protecting farms, landscapes and livestock health.

Energy Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy placed Louisiana and 16 other states under an emergency order to let the Southwest Power Pool dispatch extra power and avoid heat-driven blackouts as temperatures spike. LNG & Industrial Tech: Baker Hughes won a major liquefaction technology order for Venture Global’s CP2 LNG expansion in Louisiana, adding six liquefaction blocks and related compression trains. AI Data Centers & Power Politics: Meta’s Louisiana AI buildout is drawing fresh scrutiny after the company left the RE100 clean-energy pledge, backing gas plants to power data centers while still claiming it will match electricity use with renewables. Local Infrastructure: Bossier Parish is set to receive a $25 million federal grant for an east-west corridor project extending Winfield Road, aiming to improve safety and connectivity. Food Safety: In Shreveport–Bossier, five restaurants logged three or more critical health violations in inspections from July 13–19, with the state noting inspections are a snapshot and posted with a delay. Community & Preservation: New Orleans awarded $97,500 to French Quarter businesses affected by Sewerage and Water Board construction, while a dispute over restoring Madame John’s Legacy in the French Quarter remains unresolved.