First Person: Susan Bourgeois, Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development

When Susan Bourgeois stepped into the role of Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development in 2024, she brought a business-focused, results-driven mindset shaped by decades of leadership in both the private and public sectors. Her career has centered on aligning vision with execution—prioritizing measurable outcomes, competitive positioning and long-term sustainability.

Bourgeois views economic development as more than project recruitment. For her, it is a coordinated, statewide effort to strengthen communities, expand workforce opportunities and ensure Louisiana is positioned to win and compete in a rapidly evolving global economy. Her collaborative, data-driven approach is delivering historic results. As Louisiana enters 2026, the state has set a new national benchmark. For the second consecutive year, Louisiana earned Business Facilities’ Platinum Deal of the Year, becoming the first state in the award’s history to achieve back-to-back wins. In addition, 2025 marked the highest year of capital investment and job creation in state history.

Thrive had the opportunity to connect with Secretary Bourgeois to discuss the state’s progress, her priorities and the role Southwest Louisiana plays in the state’s economic momentum.

As you reflect on your first two years leading Louisiana Economic Development, what accomplishments stand out most to you?

Making opportunities here feel real, attainable and sustainable has been the most important part of this work. Louisiana has the assets to compete and win, and LED’s focus over the past two years has been turning that potential into real results for our people and communities.

Over the past two years, we’ve strengthened how economic development works for our businesses and workers across the state. We addressed obstacles that slowed progress, improved coordination and made sure both long-standing Louisiana businesses and new investments had a clear path forward. That work is translating into better jobs and stronger wages for Louisianians with average salaries for new jobs announced last year exceeding $91,000, that’s 50% above the current state average.

Louisiana’s economy is often described as being at a pivotal moment. From your perspective, what has changed most about how the state approaches economic development today?

What has changed most is that Louisiana is no longer approaching economic development as a series of isolated efforts. There is now a shared expectation and commitment that as projects move forward, partners stay aligned and results follow.

That shift is evident in both the pace and consistency of the work. Coordination begins earlier, challenges are addressed sooner and businesses see projects move from planning to reality more quickly. The Governor’s Louisiana Lightning Speed Executive Order formalized this approach and has helped accelerate transformative projects, including Aclara Resources in the Southwest Region, with greater speed and confidence.

How has your leadership philosophy shaped the way LED operates, collaborates and responds to opportunities across the state?

My leadership philosophy is grounded in a simple principle: economic development is a team sport, and it starts local. A big part of this job is being out in the state and listening. The LED team and I spend a great deal of time meeting with business owners and regional partners to understand where opportunities are moving and where challenges can emerge. That hands-on approach has shaped a culture focused on problem-solving—a mindset of “yes, let’s figure it out.” 

Under Governor Jeff Landry’s leadership, we strengthened structured engagement with private-sector leaders through the creation of the Louisiana Economic Development Partnership Board, which guided the development and implementation of our first comprehensive strategic plan in nearly 20 years. Over the past two years, that focus on listening, aligning and executing has translated into historic levels of investment and strengthened Louisiana’s competitive position, not just at the state level but in communities across every region.

Workforce development remains a top priority for Louisiana employers. What progress has LED made in aligning education, training and industry needs?

We’re making progress by connecting the project pipeline more directly to the training needed to support it. At LED, that means our FastStart team is working with employers and education partners at the front end of projects, so training is aligned with real demand. We’re seeing that take shape in places like the new training center underway in Donaldsonville with River Parishes Community College, where training is being built alongside the Hyundai Steel project. This approach helps keep jobs, talent and opportunity rooted in the communities where investment is happening.

Southwest Louisiana plays a critical role in the state’s industrial, energy and manufacturing landscape. What makes the region’s assets so important to Louisiana’s future growth and to investors considering the state?

Southwest Louisiana is one of the clearest examples of how Louisiana’s legacy strengths position us for future growth. The region has supported complex energy and industrial operations for generations, and that depth of knowledge matters when the scale and timelines of projects are demanding. From LNG facilities to the contractors, suppliers and skilled workers who support them, Southwest Louisiana contributes capabilities that help projects perform for the long term. Those assets give investors confidence not just in the region but in Louisiana’s ability to compete, win and deliver in the industries that drive America’s economy. 

Economic development is ultimately about people, not just projects. How is LED working to ensure growth translates into meaningful career opportunities for Louisiana families?

Economic development is only successful if it results in lasting opportunity for our citizens. That means focusing on the quality of jobs being created, the wages attached to them and whether they offer long term growth and stability. LED is intentional about how our efforts benefit local communities and generate career pathways so that investment leads to opportunities that Louisiana families and businesses can rely on. When people can build sustainable careers and see a future for themselves here, that is when growth has real impact.

As competition among states intensifies, what differentiates Louisiana, and where must the state remain focused to stay competitive?

Louisiana’s edge is built on people and place. Companies consistently point to the talent, work ethic and pride they see across the state. When that is paired with strong infrastructure, reliable energy and a business environment that supports growth, it creates confidence that companies can invest here and succeed.

As I constantly quote, “Capital flows where it’s treated the best,” and in an increasingly competitive landscape, our focus must remain on continuing to grow, improve and innovate by strengthening workforce pipelines, modernizing our tools and processes and accelerating innovation across both legacy and emerging industries. Louisiana has demonstrated that when leadership, policy and partnerships align, we compete and win at the highest level. Staying focused on execution will ensure that edge only sharpens in the years ahead.

How do regional partnerships, such as those in Southwest Louisiana, strengthen Louisiana’s ability to compete on a national and global stage?

Large projects don’t succeed without strong local partners. Regional leaders understand their industries, infrastructure and communities, and that local knowledge matters when opportunities come up. Staying closely connected helps issues get addressed early and keeps work moving. That level of partnership is essential when Louisiana is supporting projects that operate on a national and global scale.

If you could share one message with business leaders, educators and community stakeholders across Southwest Louisiana, what would you want them to know about LED’s vision moving forward?

My message is this: your region is central to Louisiana’s future, and LED’s vision is to match your strengths with the tools, speed and coordination needed to accelerate growth. Southwest Louisiana’s energy, manufacturing and logistics assets position the state to compete globally, and our role is to ensure infrastructure, workforce development, site readiness and innovation move in alignment with that opportunity. 

As we move forward, LED will continue working alongside local partners to ensure the story told about Louisiana reflects what is actually happening on the ground, from investment and execution to real momentum. When leaders across the region stay engaged and aligned, the impact reaches farther.

Looking ahead, what does success look like for Louisiana’s economy over the next five years?

Success looks like more Louisianians choosing to stay, wages growing and more businesses expanding and reinvesting in the communities they care about. It looks like opportunity reaching every region and people feeling confident about building their lives here. This isn’t about headlines; it’s about real changes in real people’s lives.

Learn more about LED and the state’s economic development efforts at OpportunityLouisiana.gov.