Hello Shreveport. In this week’s news, Louisiana has officially purchased the Waggoner Building, South Louisiana’s favorite restaurant is traveling north and SWEPCO has begun removing two smokestacks that were an iconic element in the downtown Shreveport skyline. Read on to learn more about this week’s economic news.
Tech company comes to Shreveport to offer medical training in virtual reality
Shreveport Next, a division of BRF, will welcome the virtual reality (VR) medical training company to northern Louisiana. This company offers VR training for a variety of medical procedures and is currently used by hospitals, universities and medical device companies.
“BioflightVR fits perfectly with two strong sides of Shreveport-Bossier’s economy – healthcare and technology,” said John F. George Jr., MD, President and CEO of BRF. “Their innovative products and services are already making an impact in healthcare across the country, and we look forward to seeing them succeed in Shreveport and Louisiana.”
BioflightVR is supported by a team of doctors, content developers and programmers to develop medically accurate VR, mobile and web-based education and training simulations.
The Bioflight platform enables patients, physicians, medical students, and medical device users to train in processes and skills required for medical device use, ambulatory care, and surgical procedures.
The Waggoner Building is officially owned by the state
On April 19, the Louisiana State Commissioner of Administration announced that the state would purchase 500 Fannin Street, commonly known as the Wagoner Building.
Barely five months later, the sale of the Waggoner Building was officially completed and now belongs to the state.
This building is getting new life after being vacant since 1994. It will replace the aging Mary Allen State Office Building on Fairfield Avenue.
To learn more about the Waggoner Building, click here.
South Louisiana Restaurant is coming to Margaritaville
Exciting news for the Shreveport-Bossier area. A Southern Louisiana favorite comes to the Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City.
Margaritaville published a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon announcing that Drago’s Seafood Restaurant will be opening a location at the resort.
Margaritaville will be Drago’s seventh location.
CenterPoint donates $125,000 to two nonprofits in Northwest Louisiana
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation donated $125,000 to two local nonprofits on Thursday. This substantial grant will benefit all of Northwest Louisiana and will be distributed by the NWLA Salvation Army and Providence House.
“This is such a big thing for our city. Some may not understand it, but when you invest $125,000, you are giving those resources to our families who need them most,” Mayor Adrian Perkins said.
These two non-profit organizations were chosen for their significant role in providing community leasing/mortgage and utility support.
For more information about this donation, see click here.
Meet the new Chief of Staff for Shreveport Public Transportation
SporTran has a new chief of staff for the transport company. On Tuesday morning, SporTran and parent company Metro Management announced that Jimmy D. Thomas has assumed his new position as COS.
A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Thomas has worked in the public sector for several years and began his career with Baton Rouge’s Capital Area Transit System, where he began as a bus operator.
Thomas will take over the day-to-day operations of SporTran while strategically improving the work-life balance of employees.
SWEPCO has begun removing the iconic downtown Shreveport skyline
The Shreveport skyline will soon look different.
Southwestern Electric Power Co. announced Monday that the company has begun removing chimneys that are nearly a century old at the Arsenal Hill power station.
“The Arsenal Hill chimneys have been part of the downtown Shreveport skyline for nearly 100 years,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Malcolm Smoak.
Why are these lights leaving the skyline? click here to learn more.
Louisiana abortion clinic up for sale after forced closure
The Shreveport abortion clinic has closed and the building is up for sale.
On August 12, the Louisiana Supreme Court denied an appeal in the ongoing litigation over the state’s abortion ban and enacted the abortion ban to remain in effect.
A month later, the Louisiana Right to Life took to Facebook to post a picture and statement about the recent closure of one of Louisiana’s three abortion clinics.
The Louisiana legislature is taking the first step toward eliminating the income tax
Louisiana lawmakers in a tax committee on Tuesday took the first step in finding a way for the state to eliminate its income tax.
“Abolishing the income tax is the most important thing we can do to move the state forward,” Nelson told committee members.
Louisiana’s tax system is generally considered to be convoluted and complicated.
To learn more about the future of income tax, click here.
Northwest Louisiana College is seeing a significant increase in enrollment in the fall of 2022
A local college reported Friday that enrollment for the fall 2022 semester increased significantly.
Bossier Parish Community College saw a 12% increase in enrollment in the fall semester. “BPCC enrollment is strong,” said Chancellor Rick Bateman, Jr.
dr Teresa Jones, BPCC’s executive director of enrollment management, said the college’s growth was due to a number of significant developments.
BPCC has added two new locations, one in Natchitoches and one in Many.
Keep an eye out for Thursday and Sunday for Life at 318 and The 318 to catch up on the best stories you may have missed.
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter at the Shreveport Times. Contact her at [email protected].
