Baton Rouge Business Report

A ±6,700 SF two-story former Pelican State Credit Union branch at 510 N. 6th St. in downtown Baton Rouge is available for commercial use. The property features drive-through infrastructure and is located in the city’s government and legal district, near the State Capitol, courthouses, and City Hall. It is suitable for financial tenants, professional offices, or redevelopment due to its strategic location and scarcity of similar owner-user opportunities.

LeBlanc & Fresina Builders designed a 3,718-square-foot award-winning home centered around a preserved live oak tree on Hillsdale Drive. The home, designed by architect Lionel F. Bailey and interior designer Angel Lewis, features a custom reclaimed brick bar, indoor-outdoor living spaces, and won both People’s Choice and Judges Awards at the 2026 HBA Greater Baton Rouge Parade of Homes.

Hillar Moore, the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney, believes his lawsuit against the city-parish will create a more stable funding arrangement for prosecutors and public defenders. The lawsuit aims to bring officials together on criminal justice funding.

The number of software security vulnerabilities discovered in 2026 is doubling compared to 2025, driven by AI-powered tools that accelerate flaw detection. Major companies like Oracle, Microsoft, and Google report increased identification and patching of vulnerabilities, though attackers are also leveraging AI to reduce exploit development time from 72 to 24 hours.

Nexus Louisiana is expanding its Technology Cup startup competition this year with a larger prize pool and a new high school division. The revamped schedule is designed to strengthen Louisiana's technology sector.

Employers are reducing coverage for GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy to cut healthcare costs, but a study suggests this may backfire. Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research found GLP-1 treatments reduced long-term sick leave by 17.3% and generated $866 in annual productivity gains per worker in Denmark. However, U.S. employers face different healthcare systems and higher costs, complicating direct comparisons.

Portobello’s Grill in Baton Rouge closed after years of operation, with owner Peter Sclafani thanking patrons and redirecting gift cards to sister restaurant SoLou. Cracker Barrel appointed David Deno as new CEO following backlash against Julie Masino’s rebranding efforts. A Pew Research Center survey found Canadians and Mexicans now view China more favorably than the U.S., with higher confidence in President Xi Jinping over Donald Trump.

Ford is expanding its customization business to boost profits through personalized vehicles and software services. Small businesses are challenging Trump's new tariffs, and a heat wave is affecting over 134 million Americans, straining power grids.

The article discusses recent property transactions and issued permits in East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes. Specifically, the Town of Livingston entity 8 Point Investments purchased a property.

Kevin Warsh faces a critical decision at his second Federal Reserve meeting as chair: whether to raise interest rates to combat inflation or maintain rates pending more data. The Fed is divided, with some officials advocating for immediate rate hikes and others urging caution. Warsh emphasized the Fed’s commitment to price stability and reliance on task forces to address inflation, avoiding a direct call for rate increases during congressional testimony.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's administration has increasingly used NDAs, including a mutual agreement with Meta subsidiary Laidley LLC for the Hyperion data center project. Critics argue these NDAs excessively restrict transparency, allowing private corporations to control public disclosures and undermining public accountability. Over 121 state employees have signed similar NDAs since Landry took office.

Louisiana had the highest construction employment growth rate in the U.S. over the past year, with a 7.7% increase in employment between June 2025 and June 2026, according to a new analysis.

Digital Engineering (DE) has appointed Kazem Alikhani, P.E., as Principal Advisor. Alikhani brings over 45 years of infrastructure experience, including executive roles in public and private sectors, leadership in post-Hurricane Katrina recovery, and oversight of major infrastructure projects in Southeast Louisiana. At DE, he will focus on strategic planning and mentoring engineers.

The Trump administration canceled over $7.5 billion in Biden-era federal grants for clean energy projects, with court documents revealing the decision was based solely on whether states supported President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. The move targeted states represented by Democrats and those backing Kamala Harris, as detailed in a lawsuit filed by California researchers challenging the funding cuts.

Baton Rouge's commercial real estate market cooled in June with declining sales volume and transaction activity for the second consecutive month, according to Elif's data.

LSU is projected to finish fifth in the SEC this season, with Georgia predicted as the champion. Two small businesses sued the Trump administration over newly imposed tariffs, and the Port of Long Beach plans to explore building a nuclear reactor to power the port.

Chicky Sandos, a Baton Rouge-based restaurant chain specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches, has closed its Florida Boulevard location. The business announced the closure via social media.

Louisiana ranks 13th among U.S. states for five-year business survival, outperforming Texas and neighboring states. The finding is based on a new analysis of federal labor data.

John Fleming, Louisiana State Treasurer, reflects on his U.S. Senate race, stating he has no regrets despite facing opposition from Donald Trump, the Louisiana Governor, and political infrastructure. He claims his self-funded campaign led in polls for five weeks before the runoff. Fleming also discusses carbon capture as a potential issue in future Louisiana elections and mentions a Senator John Kennedy quote about foreign shrimp and oysters.

A company purchased a 10.17-acre undeveloped tract near the Woodridge subdivision for $4.5 million to build an 112,500-square-foot office and warehouse facility. The land is located behind Sunshine Quality Rentals and adjacent to the Woodridge subdivision.