Source: Baton Rouge Business Report
Suddenly, college students in Baton Rouge are interested in economic development. That is, ever since Gov. Bobby Jindal announced that Electronic Arts Inc. is coming to our city.
The company, the world’s largest publisher of video games, will open a testing center here that will ultimately hire 20 full-time employees and 200 part-time employees [a $6 million payroll]. Even more important, these are the kind of “cool jobs” that interest young people and could keep many from leaving.
The publisher of Game Developer magazine, Simon Carless, told The Advocate EA’s site selection represents a coup for Louisiana that could generate many more digital media gains.
Jindal sees this as a first step that could lead to Louisiana attracting other businesses that develop video games. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret, who has worked hard on this project, believes growth in this sector could result in a dynamic new industry for our city and state.
Baton Rouge has the Digital Industries Consortium, which includes the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, LSU, Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the city-parish. Headed by LSU’s Stacey Simmons, the consortium provides funds for the Red Stick Animation Festival.
The Capital City is already home to three smaller game developers. Now there are four—and what an addition.
To support this digital focus and industry growth, LSU has begun a $1 million effort to establish AVATAR, an undergraduate program that will give students in fine arts and sciences exposure to all the digital arts and gaming industry disciplines.
I commend the governor, Moret, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Mayor Kip Holden, LSU and the Red Stick Animation Festival for having vision, taking risks, working together and leading the way to “cool.”
Publish Date:
08-27-2008
