Louisiana Updates Its ED Plan

Louisiana economic development officials are intent upon making educational improvement a stronger component of the state's future economic development plan.

State and local ED officials presented an updated master plan earlier this week for creating jobs and improving the state's economy that calls for more pre-kindergarten classes for poor children and enhanced technical training to meet the needs of business.

The plan also includes a proposal to renew and possibly increase a special industrial "deal-closing fund" in the Louisiana Economic Development Department that would pay for infrastructure improvements and other assistance as an incentive to companies considering an expansion in the state. The state quickly used up its $8.7 million in deal-closing money this year.

Fighting chronic poverty across the state is expected to receive greater attention in the new plan, which explains the new educational proposals.

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