This is an excellent summary of the economic issues I have observed during my time in Louisiana. I am not from here. I moved here about 4 years ago for grad school. To your point, I was drawn in by a trip to New Orleans, and when I was applying to grad schools, I remembered Louisiana fondly. It caused a little culture shock when I moved here to see the state of the state.
As an outsider, I noticed a few things. Locals are generally very friendly, but I always get the question, "why did you move here?" or, the more accusatory, "why are you here?" (apparently, it never occurred to them that I might like Louisiana) The people I was talking to didn't realize that their question signaled a suspicion of me. They certainly didn't mean it that way, but it signaled their acknowledgment that Louisiana is not a place to move to; it's a place people move through. Which I find unfortunate. They didn't really take pride in the place they were from.
On the central question of building a more resilient Louisiana economy, all your suggestions are good (advanced manufacturing and education). But I think locals are weary of the change that would accompany development. Economic development does not have to destroy a state's culture. Austin, Texas, is a great example of this. The city is a well-developed metropolis but retains its distinct culture. It has a different character compared to Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio. It has a distinct culture, where East Texas meets West Texas while also housing tech firms.
This is why I think Baton Rouge could be Louisiana's city of the future. (as the name might suggest, I am biased). Baton Rouge boasts 2 great universities, is located at the crossroads of the state, and has room to grow. As you mentioned, Baton Rouge is developing its own sense of itself. That cultural development will go hand in hand with its economic development. Economic development alters the way we convey cultural heritage. So Louisiana will always have crawfish boils; they might happen in bigger, better boilers.
This is an excellent summary of the economic issues I have observed during my time in Louisiana. I am not from here. I moved here about 4 years ago for grad school. To your point, I was drawn in by a trip to New Orleans, and when I was applying to grad schools, I remembered Louisiana fondly. It caused a little culture shock when I moved here to see the state of the state.
As an outsider, I noticed a few things. Locals are generally very friendly, but I always get the question, "why did you move here?" or, the more accusatory, "why are you here?" (apparently, it never occurred to them that I might like Louisiana) The people I was talking to didn't realize that their question signaled a suspicion of me. They certainly didn't mean it that way, but it signaled their acknowledgment that Louisiana is not a place to move to; it's a place people move through. Which I find unfortunate. They didn't really take pride in the place they were from.
On the central question of building a more resilient Louisiana economy, all your suggestions are good (advanced manufacturing and education). But I think locals are weary of the change that would accompany development. Economic development does not have to destroy a state's culture. Austin, Texas, is a great example of this. The city is a well-developed metropolis but retains its distinct culture. It has a different character compared to Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio. It has a distinct culture, where East Texas meets West Texas while also housing tech firms.
This is why I think Baton Rouge could be Louisiana's city of the future. (as the name might suggest, I am biased). Baton Rouge boasts 2 great universities, is located at the crossroads of the state, and has room to grow. As you mentioned, Baton Rouge is developing its own sense of itself. That cultural development will go hand in hand with its economic development. Economic development alters the way we convey cultural heritage. So Louisiana will always have crawfish boils; they might happen in bigger, better boilers.
A thought provoking piece. Well done.