Publication: Red Stick is “what Jackson wants to be”

The recent visit to Baton Rouge by 60 leaders from Jackson, Miss. is creating some head-turning headlines in the Mississippi business community. After the two-day visit last month, the Mississippi Business Journal published a special report entitled, “A Tale of Two Cities” that held up Baton Rouge as a model for Jackson.

“Baton Rouge success is a call to action for Jackson,” one headline read. Another headline said: “Jackson leaders learn what Baton Rouge has done right.”

In his story, staff writer Ed Darling - who was imbedded in the Jackson contingent during the trip - described Baton Rouge as “an urban highlight reel. “It is a city on the move, one that sensed trouble and reversed its course, one that saw potential and attacked, one that recognized obstacles and overcame, one that identified fragments and unified, one that totally proudly shares its story of success and hard work,” Darling wrote of Baton Rouge.

Baton Rouge Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden pointed out the positive press at Tuesday’s meeting of the Downtown Development District. .Holden noted that for the last several years, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber has sponsored similar canvas trips to other cities to learn lessons from their successes. “Isn’t it great that people are now coming to Baton Rouge to see what we are doing as well?” Holden said, triggering a round of applause.

The Mississippi Business Journal special report also noted that Holden’s proposed $867-million bond proposal is “critical to continued Baton Rouge progress.” At Tuesday’s DDD meeting, Holden agreed with that assessment, noting that one of the keys to Baton Rouge’s success stories is that “none of us are satisfied with the status quo.” Baton Rouge’s first major bond issue in 50 years would tackle neglected problems of the past, like drainage and overcrowded parish prison, while promoting economic development by expanding the River Center and building a new world-class riverfront attraction.

“The bond issue sets us a part from any city in the nation,” the Mayor said. Most American cities are busy just trying to keep their heads above water due to the national recession, Holden said.

Most American cities are busy just trying to keep their heads above water due to the national recession, Holden said.

By contrast, Baton Rouge still has a surplus this year, Holden said.





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