Press Release

Commerce Department Invests $3 Million to Promote Baton Rouge Digital Media Industry

September 1, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $3 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the Louisiana State University System Research & Technology Foundation of Baton Rouge, La., to support the region's emerging digital media industry cluster by helping to build the Louisiana Center for Digital Innovation. The project is expected to create 220 jobs and generate $55 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"The Center for Digital Innovation will play a vital role in advancing the commercialization of research and technology coming out of LSU," Locke said. "By encouraging new entrepreneurial ventures associated with Baton Rouge's emerging digital media industry cluster, new jobs will be created to help the region rebound from the 2008 hurricanes."

The Louisiana Center for Digital Innovation is designed as a three-story, 100,000 square foot facility with 80,000 square feet of leasable space. The three story building will accommodate sophisticated and sensitive digital art technologies and support the emerging industry cluster. A state-of-the-art auditorium, classroom and research space will occupy the first and second floors. The third floor will be incubator space for sector tenants in the digital media industry cluster.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov): This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.