AGP Executive Report

New Orleans Dining: Casamento’s, the 1919 Magazine St. oyster institution, reopens Oct. 1 after its summer break, but owners C.J. and Linda Gerdes say this season is “looking like” it could be the last—no final decision yet. Real Estate Watch: West Jefferson and Orleans Parish property transfers list home and commercial sales across late September, including multiple six-figure deals in New Orleans. Local Transit Leadership: The New Orleans RTA CEO search reshuffle removed Jefferson Parish candidate Derrick Breun from the shortlist after Mayor Helena Moreno pushed for more New Orleans representation. State House Race: Three candidates vie for Louisiana House District 92 (Kenner/Metairie) with insurance costs, immigration, data centers and the Esplanade Mall among key issues. Public Safety: Jefferson Parish homicide detectives say a 28-year-old man was killed after a chaotic fight outside a Metairie bar; an arrest followed. Tech & Tax Policy: A New York Times report says Meta classified AI data centers as “pilot models” to claim research tax credits, with credits reportedly rising to $3.9B. Defense & Shipbuilding: Metal Shark won a U.S. contract to build 13 patrol boats for Vietnam at its Jeanerette, Louisiana facility. Healthcare Innovation: Sight Sciences and Life Biosciences are set to present new ophthalmology data at AAO 2026 in New Orleans.

Public Safety Budget Crunch: New Orleans is weighing major 2027 cuts that could hit traffic accident response, civilian staffing, and police body-camera funding as the city tries to close a $77 million gap. Utility & Neighborhood Impact: Entergy paused tree trimming in Jefferson Parish after complaints it “butchered” the canopy, and says it will rewrite trimming rules. Downtown Security Push: Shreveport’s Downtown Development Authority is launching a pilot with armed private security patrols, added cameras, and targeted enforcement to improve downtown safety. Major Retail Development: Buc-ee’s set a Nov. 9 groundbreaking for its Lafayette store, a $72.05 million project expected to finish in early 2028. Local Infrastructure Planning: Lafayette officials kicked off public input for an 8.5-mile Johnston Street/Louisiana Avenue makeover. Parish Finance Pressure: St. Landry Parish approved a six-month debt repayment extension after an auditor warned of possible state intervention. Energy Grid Investment: Entergy received $13.7 million in federal funding to strengthen transmission reliability across Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Healthcare & Politics: Louisiana and Alabama joined a Supreme Court fight over abortion “shield laws,” while AG Griffin also sued defendants over shipping abortion pills across state lines. Business & Jobs: Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership highlighted the final year of its BRING IT! plan at its annual meeting.

Defense & Shipbuilding: The U.S. Navy ordered 30 Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels after Phase I testing, with production starting in Louisiana shipyards and a roughly $1.2 billion price tag for the fleet push. Water & Industry: LiqTech’s QureFlow™ system is set to help a new Freeport, Texas wastewater facility recover more than 95% of wastewater for reuse, building on LiqTech’s ceramic filtration experience in Geismar. Public Housing & Real Estate: New Orleans’ housing authority plans to sell or redevelop 250 vacant lots over three years, aiming to cut blight and redeploy land amid a tight affordable-housing pipeline. Tax & Big Tech: A New York Times probe says Meta is classifying Louisiana data centers as “experimental,” helping slash federal taxes while the Hyperion project ramps up. Energy & Fuel Costs: Louisiana’s diesel squeeze is feeding debate over possible diesel export restrictions, with industry and policymakers split on whether bans would help or backfire. Healthcare & Pharma: Ocugen will present gene-therapy updates at major scientific meetings, including AAO in New Orleans, while ANI Pharmaceuticals plans late-breaking uveitis data presentations in the city. Local Business & Culture: The National Fried Chicken Festival in New Orleans is postponed to Oct. 9-11 due to severe weather, with organizers pointing to an expanded food-and-music format.

Fuel Costs Watch: Three Lafayette Parish stations posted the same $2.99 E85 price for the week ending Sept. 19, with Louisiana’s E85 average holding at $3.04, underscoring how quickly local pump prices can shift. Tolls & Local Business: Belle Chasse Bridge tolls were suspended by Gov. Landry a year ago, and nearby businesses say traffic surged—now some fear tolls could return, threatening sales for small operators. Town Finances: Cullen officials are still waiting for a fiscal administrator after the state moved the town under fiscal control; meanwhile, leaders are planning Christmas cleanup and decorations. Public Safety/Justice: Two Lafayette men were sentenced in a federal theft ring that targeted tractors, excavators and other heavy equipment across four states, using altered IDs and fraudulent fronts. Veteran Entrepreneurship: Louisiana is set to get a new Veterans Business Outreach Center after an SBA grant of nearly $175,000 a year for five years, led by The Boot. AI & Policy: Trump says top AI firms signed a voluntary accord for internal and external reviews, leaning on “self-policing” rather than new rules. Energy Infrastructure: TotalEnergies’ CEO said the company may pursue more U.S. upstream gas as geopolitical disruptions reshape energy flows. Local Economy & Events: Lafayette will close Camellia Boulevard Oct. 3 for Maddie’s Footprints 5K, while Cruisin’ the Coast is drawing RV bookings and visitors to the Gulf Coast.

Fraud & Consumer Protection: Louisiana’s AG Griffin kicked off a two-day summit with 800+ registrants, focusing on scams from robocalls and crypto fraud to Medicaid fraud and AI deepfakes. Energy & Fuel Costs: GasBuddy data show premium prices hitting $4.49 in Natchitoches Parish and regular as low as $3.54 in East Baton Rouge for the week ending Sept. 19, underscoring how quickly pump prices are shifting. AI Policy in Washington: Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson plan a White House meeting with major AI executives as lawmakers debate “balance” between regulation and innovation. Local Government Fight: A judge halted a controversial Gretna brewpub project, ruling Jefferson Parish’s leases unconstitutional—raising questions about how the nearly finished $10.3 million site can move forward. Data Centers & Community Sentiment: A new nationwide analysis finds two-thirds of U.S. counties lean favorable toward data centers, but local zoning and permitting remain the biggest barrier. Public Safety: Shreveport-Bossier’s Gator Task Force says it has made 65 arrests since July, seizing meth, firearms, and stolen vehicles.

LNG & Industrial Incentives: Cheniere Energy won Louisiana “mega-project” status for a $6 billion Sabine Pass LNG expansion, clearing a path to a $138M local property-tax break that would cut its annual taxes to about $10.5M. Energy + Data Center Growth: A Florida startup, One Nuclear Energy, is pitching Ascension and Iberville parishes on a multi-asset power plan—natural gas, small nuclear reactors, batteries and possibly solar—aimed at boosting capacity for data centers and heavy industry. Water Tech at WEFTEC: Green Steel Environmental returns to WEFTEC with full-scale pilot results for its wastewater treatment approach using upcycled steel slag, while infinitii ai and Hapman also unveiled new wastewater collection overflow software and bulk material handling equipment. Oilfield-to-Global Gas Deal: Comstock Resources and SOCAR signed a framework agreement for a $1.65B strategic partnership tied to Haynesville Shale gas, with LNG marketing plans outside the U.S. Health Policy/Enforcement: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit arrested a White Castle woman accused of billing for services not rendered. Business & Community: McNeese’s LSU football ticket allotment is sold out, and a Baton Rouge nonprofit’s “Serve for St. Jude” pickleball fundraiser returns Oct. 10.

New Orleans Finance & Real Estate: A former Federal Reserve building in downtown New Orleans is being repurposed into a private safety-deposit and precious-metals facility by New Orleans Silver and Gold, with a soft opening planned for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. Local Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show Louisiana premium gas averaged $4.79 in the week ending Sept. 19, with the lowest Terrebonne-area premium at $4.29 and Lafayette’s lowest at $4.33. Food Assistance Policy: New USDA data says more than 330,000 Americans lost SNAP access between May and June, and Louisiana enrollment dropped by about 173,000 (roughly 22%) after recent eligibility changes. Tech & Infrastructure: A Louisiana “meta data center” push is tied to a housing boom, as new development drives demand for nearby homes and services. Business Growth: Leading Edge Manufacturing is expanding its Youngsville-Broussard operations, adding momentum to Louisiana’s manufacturing footprint. Sports With Local Impact: The Raiders improved to 3-0 with a 35-27 win over the Saints at the Superdome, setting up a high-stakes Week 3 matchup.

Meta Data Center Boom: Meta’s massive data-center build in Richland Parish near Holly Ridge is reshaping housing and local business demand, with construction and operational jobs expected to dwarf the area’s population. Workforce Housing: Nearby residents are scrambling to meet the influx, including new mobile-home park capacity aimed at workers. Louisiana Politics & Voting Rights: A new voting-rights fight is taking shape in Louisiana after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision, with activists warning Black representation is being diluted ahead of midterms. Local Development: Baton Rouge’s Perkins Road Overpass Project is moving forward with a $2.9 million plan for sidewalks, bike paths, lighting and metered parking to improve connectivity. Banking/Business Moves: Merchants & Marine Bancorp announced a name change for its bank subsidiary to TownBridge Bank. Sports Betting & Economy: Louisiana’s sports-betting market continues to draw attention, with recent coverage highlighting how NFL wagering promotions and game-day demand are driving activity. NFL Week 3 Spotlight: Raiders vs. Saints and LSU’s win over Texas A&M are fueling statewide sports talk as injuries and roster moves shape the week’s business of fandom.

Behavioral Health Investment: Tulane Ventures put $250,000 into Cabana, a behavioral health platform, helping it move its headquarters to New Orleans and build a Louisiana-based clinical team. Public Health & Research: Pennington Biomedical is recruiting participants for a study on how much iron people need, offering up to $500 for eligible adults. Local Energy Resilience: New Orleans advanced its Neighborhood Power Plan, adopting draft rules to subsidize backup batteries for about 1,000 homes and businesses, funded through an Entergy New Orleans settlement. Insurance Costs & Litigation: A new report highlights how Louisiana’s litigation-heavy auto insurance environment keeps premiums far above the national average, with regulators pushing for fewer claims. Politics & Voting: Federal authorities charged a noncitizen voter in Texas, part of a broader push to prosecute noncitizen voting. Sports Business: LSU athletics is projecting a $26 million deficit, with the school pointing to a new revenue plan under discussion with donors. Oil & Gas Deal Talk: BP is reportedly eyeing Devon Energy’s Eagle Ford assets, a move that could reshape onshore shale strategy.

Transportation & Infrastructure: Louisiana Transportation Authority approved a Sept. 24 contract letting New Orleans-based LabMar Ferry Services take over Cameron Ferry operations and maintenance, with a 60-day transition and DOTD aiming to improve reliability as two new ferries are built for the $49.7 million replacement project. Banking & Corporate Identity: Merchants & Marine Bancorp said its bank subsidiary will legally rename to TownBridge Bank on Sept. 28, using a shared charter identity while keeping local brand names and leadership. Manufacturing Dealmaking: Baton Rouge-founded Marucci Sports is returning to founder-led private ownership after Fox Factory sold it for $225 million, with Marucci staying in Baton Rouge. Workforce & Skills Training: Bossier Parish Community College will offer free Basic Construction Crafts Bootcamps in Natchitoches and Sabine Valley this fall, with no prior experience needed and NCCER credentials for participants. Veterans & Housing: Louisiana ranked No. 1 for veteran poverty, with advocates pointing to housing affordability pressures and homelessness risk for veterans on fixed incomes. Community Business Boost: Acadiana’s Choice awards drew 371,000+ votes, a 50% jump, highlighting strong local support for businesses across hundreds of categories. Public Safety & Community: St. Landry Crime Stoppers won two national awards, including a radio PSA tied to a 21-year-old cold case. Economic Development: East Feliciana Parish police jury backed a $90 million nuclear life cycle innovation campus proposal, positioning Louisiana for a potential DOE site.

Aviation & Travel: Avelo Airlines will add twice-weekly non-stop flights between New Orleans (MSY) and Dallas-area McKinney (DTX) starting Dec. 17, with fares expected from $99 and the first checked bag free. Local Construction: St. Tammany Parish Library begins Oct. 12 renovations at the Mandeville branch, keeping the library open with a new side entrance and upgrades to the atrium, bathrooms, flooring, and internet. Energy & Grid: The U.S. Department of Energy announced $1.9 billion for 31 grid projects under its SPARK initiative to speed power connections for data centers and other large loads. Politics & Affordability: Senate Republicans are planning a last-ditch push on affordability ahead of midterms, including a bill aimed at protecting Americans from electricity price hikes tied to the data center boom. Finance & Consumer Relief: Visa and Mastercard agreed to a $167 million settlement over ATM fee practices; eligible users have until Feb. 10, 2027 to file claims. Tech & Security: Livingston Parish approved an ordinance restricting privately owned Flock cameras and automated license plate readers on parish roads, while existing units remain. Business & Jobs: Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College is working to “AI-proof” jobs and is seeking partners tied to new data center construction in the region. Sports & Culture: LSU confirmed the death of NBA’s first MVP Bob Pettit at 93, and New Orleans is marking Dolly Parton Day with a parade and related events.

Baton Rouge Development: Metro Council approved Mayor-President Sid Edwards to execute a new agreement tied to the planned Sports Illustrated Resort, outlining a faster path to reimbursements for the Hilton Capitol Center conversion and raising potential project reimbursement to $55 million through 2058. Hiring & Business: Spectrum is holding an Oct. 1 hiring event at 7401 Florida Blvd for nearly 100 sales openings, with pay plus uncapped commissions. Agriculture Relief: Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order letting Louisiana farmers and timber workers use dyed diesel they already keep on hand for certain harvest vehicles, aiming to blunt record diesel costs during sugarcane season. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy reported Louisiana regular gas averaging $3.93 for the week ending Sept. 19, with the lowest single-station prices including $3.68 in Acadia Parish and $3.65 in Rapides Parish. Health Policy: FDA nominee Heidi Overton told senators the MMR vaccine is “safe and effective” and “not lethal,” responding to comments Trump made earlier. Local Economy & Culture: New Orleans’ fall tourism push kicks off with NOLAxNOLA and other major festivals expected to drive business for venues and restaurants.

Louisiana Business & Economy: Space & energy investment: CSE Global won two U.S. electrification contracts totaling $150 million, including work tied to Calcasieu Pass 2 LNG expansion and a power hub that will support a nearby data center. Economic development & infrastructure: Applied Atomics plans an $8.2 million New Orleans headquarters, adding to the city’s growing hospitality and tech investment pipeline. Local business growth: ALDI is cutting prices on about one-third of items at its Acadiana stores, with savings running through Nov. 3. Consumer & policy pressure: Diesel costs remain a major strain for Louisiana farmers and loggers as Gov. Landry pushes emergency steps to blunt fuel spikes. Public safety & community impact: A Plaquemine-area study on low-frequency sounds and vibrations found no readings outside normal ranges, but residents are disputing the conclusions. Healthcare & biotech: Merck reported positive Phase 2b/3 results for remigromig in diabetic macular edema, with a Week 52 readout and further analysis underway. Legal & accountability: A multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance totals $694 million, including $28.19 million in relief for thousands of Georgians.

Meta Data Center Ripple Effects: A Rayville restaurant says Meta’s AI buildout is already boosting local revenue, with Meta citing billions in Louisiana vendor contracts and infrastructure spending tied to the Richland Parish project. Hotel & Travel Investment: A new WoodSpring Suites opened on Baton Rouge’s Howell Boulevard, with local leaders pointing to tourism and business travel near the airport. HBCU Funding: Sen. John Kennedy announced $14.2 million in federal education funding for six Louisiana HBCUs, including major allocations to Southern University A&M and others. Utility Oversight Fight: Entergy agreed to let nonprofits access confidential materials in the Louisiana Public Service Commission review tied to Meta’s data center power plans, ending a dispute over document access. Local Government Watch: Baton Rouge Metro Council shot down a proposal to create a commission to explore splitting city and parish governments, though members say the conversation should continue. Diesel Relief for Farmers: Gov. Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency to let farmers and loggers use dyed diesel during harvest, suspending penalties through Oct. 22. Workforce Pressure: Louisiana’s community and technical colleges are struggling as major projects (Hyundai, Meta, SpaceX) drive demand and companies poach instructors. Education Spotlight: East Baton Rouge Parish magnet programs earned national recognition, highlighting STEM and arts pathways tied to business and community partners.

Diesel Costs & Policy Clash: Gov. Jeff Landry is pushing a 90-day pause on U.S. diesel exports, arguing it will lower prices for Louisiana families and farmers, but industry groups warn the state lacks pipeline/storage capacity and the plan could backfire. Rural Economy Pressure: A new AP-KFF poll finds about half of rural voters say the economy is worse since Trump returned to office, with groceries, gas and healthcare topping concerns—an issue for GOP momentum heading into November. Nuclear Ambitions in East Feliciana: The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury backed Louisiana’s effort to land a federally backed “Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus,” with officials discussing potential spent-fuel recycling work tied to River Bend. Tourism & Hospitality: Three New Orleans hotels earned 2026 Michelin Keys—Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Windsor Court—adding to the city’s growing luxury footprint. Local Business & Jobs: Ascension Parish hosted a college-and-career expo bringing dozens of colleges and 100+ employers together for students. Gaming Fraud Case: Louisiana authorities arrested an Alexandria woman accused of using fake Social Security numbers to steal casino jackpots, including at L’Auberge Baton Rouge. Energy Supply Chain: Lion Elastomers named Intertex World Resources its exclusive North American distributor for rubber products, expanding distribution reach.