Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards traveled to Alexandria, LA for another round of meetings with business leaders to discuss the state’s budget and the quickly approaching fiscal cliff. The third of several similar meetings to come, Gov. Edwards is reaching out to business leaders directly for their input into ways the state can stabilize the budget for the long-term and solve the more than $1 billion budget shortfall that exists beginning on July 1, 2018. In addition to his meeting with business leaders, Gov. Edwards met with local elected officials from the region for a bipartisan discussion on ways the state can partner with local governments to stabilize the budget and promote economic development and job creation.

“Today’s roundtable brought together a diverse group of business leaders from the Central Louisiana region who are all invested in the fiscal health and quality of life in Louisiana,” said Gov. Edwards. “Our meeting was productive and I imagine that business leaders from across the state will continue to come forward with a willingness to help tackle the biggest challenges before us. We are searching for ideas, and whether we all agree or not, input from everyone is invaluable in this process. While this is no easy task, the experience and input from these leaders in the Central Louisiana community are a valuable piece of the puzzle. I appreciate their willingness to participate in a candid conversation about how to move Louisiana forward.”

The governor previously met with business leaders from across the state in Baton Rouge and Houma and is planning similar roundtable discussions in both New Orleans and Shreveport in the coming weeks.

Attending today’s meeting with Gov. Edwards:

Deborah Randolph
Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce

Matthew Bruyninckx
Descant Financial Partners

Chad Soprano
Cenla Broadcasting

Randy Gilchrist
Gilchrist Construction

Peter Rotich
Enhancesoft

Andy Price
Procter and Gamble

Reldon Owens
Diamond B Construction

Jim Clinton
Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance

Oday Lavergne
Agilus Health

Rick Ranson
Cleco Power

Nancy Hellyer
CHRISTUS

Thomas David, Jr.
Pan American Engineers

James Hayes
Hayes Manufacturing Company

Steve Berry
Cheeks Marine

Sandra McQuain
Baker Manufacturing

Maria Losavio
Losavio Law Office

Valerie Aymond
Gilchrist Construction Company

Roy Martin, III
Roy O. Martin

William Fontenot
Cleco

Kenny Robison
Crest Industries

John Doggett
Crest Industries

Paul Bordelon
Crest Industries

Jeff Baudier
Cleco

Myron Lawson
Lawson Realty

Patrick Cunningham
Cunningham Business Systems

Diana Rogers-Deville
Sayes Office Supply

Thomas David, III
Pan American Engineers