Last week we saw a perfect example of just how pathetic Louisiana’s Democrat governor John Bel Edwards is where economic development is concerned. You can usually tell failure by what it touts as success, and Edwards’ boast of Louisiana’s robust economy simply reeks of it.

Edwards put out a statement bragging about the 34 economic development projects in Louisiana’s pipeline at present, as though that’s somehow a number anybody running a state of 4.7 million people should be boasting about.

(The Center Square) – Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) agency landed 34 projects in 2021, totaling a purported $20 billion in future capital investments.

Edwards said on social media the projects include multiple “clean energy” deals and the year-long accomplishment was especially notable given the COVID-19 pandemic and the second direct hit from a major hurricane in two years.

“These projects will result in 4,947 new direct jobs, 10,027 new indirect jobs, and 5,569 retained jobs,” Edwards tweeted.

LED works closely with the governor’s office to cultivate jobs and economic opportunities in Louisiana, its website reads. The agency offers 14 different taxpayer-funded incentive programs to entice large businesses to either expand in or relocate to Louisiana.

The 2021 projects span an array of industries and incentive perks. The largest deals align with Edwards’ “net zero” climate change agenda, or zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Meanwhile, here’s what Texas has going on. The webmaster in Greg Abbott’s office probably needs to do a better job of getting his months straight, but on the other hand there’s a lot to keep track of…

Recent Project Announcements: October

Samsung in Taylor: Samsung announced that their newest semiconductor fabrication facility will be located in Taylor, Texas. The new facility is expected to create more than 2,000 new jobs and $17 billion in capital investment. Samsung was extended a Texas Enterprise Fund grant of $27 million.

CBRE in Dallas & Richardson: CBRE plans to expand their Dallas headquarters with the creation of 460 new jobs and more than $29 million in capital investment. This is in addition to a new operations center in Richardson, which will create 550 new jobs and more than $13 million in capital investment. CBRE was extended Texas Enterprise Fund grants of $3.45 million and $3.3 million for the two projects.

Texas Instruments in Sherman: Texas Instruments announced up to four new semiconductor fabrication facilities in Sherman. The company could employ up to 3,000 people and invest nearly $30 billion in the project over the coming decades.

Chem-Energy in Caldwell County: Chem-Energy selected Caldwell County to invest $1 billion with the development of two new facilities, creating 400 new jobs. The project will include two innovative solar and battery power plant facilities.

BASF in Lubbock: BASF Agricultural Solutions announced the addition of two teams to its Lubbock Field Research Station, bringing 23 new positions, along with a capital investment of $1.25 million.

Shop LC in Cedar Park: Shop LC announced the relocation of its national headquarters to Cedar Park. The television network and online retailer plans to create more than 1,000 new jobs and $50 million in capital investment with the move.

Walmart in Lancaster: Walmart will add two more high-tech hubs to its growing supply chain network in Lancaster, creating about 1,000 new jobs. The facilities will include an automated fulfillment center and grocery distribution center.

Arbor Eyewear in Lubbock: Arbor Eyewear announced a new production facility in Lubbock, which is expected to create 75 new jobs and $1.5 million in capital investment over the next five years.

Tongrun International in Bonham: Tongrun International is expanding their North Texas manufacturing campus in the city of Bonham, creating 75 new jobs. The expansion will significantly increase the company’s capital equipment capacity to meet customer demand.

Unify Energy Solutions in Houston: Unify Energy Solutions, which provides management and automation solutions for commercial energy consumption, announced a new location in Houston where it will bring more than 100 employees.

Ecolomondo Corporation in Shamrock: Ecolomondo Corporation, a Canadian cleantech company, has selected Shamrock for the location of its first U.S.-based waste-to-resources Thermal Decomposition Process plant.

MPV Plastics in Brownsville: Automotive supplier, MPV Plastics announced plans for a new location in Brownsville in order to become more “strategic” to its customers with operations in Mexico.

Emerson Automation Solutions in Round Rock: Emerson Automation Solutions announced plans for an expansion of their operations in Round Rock. The expansion will consist of a new 12,000-square-foot building with construction planned for early 2022.

Restaurant Revolution Technologies in Southlake: Restaurant Revolution Technologies, an order management and point-of-sale integration company, relocated its headquarters from Washington to Southlake.

Strategic Manufacturers in Katy: Strategic Manufacturers, Inc. announced plans to build two new manufacturing plans in Katy. When fully operational, the plants will produce 4.5 billion nitrile gloves annually and 120,000 metric tons of synthetic rubber.

Northwest Hardwoods in Frisco: Northwest Hardwoods announced the relocation of its headquarters from Washington to Frisco in order to better position itself to serve customers around the globe.

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Recent Project Announcements: September

Tesla in Austin: Fortune 500 firm, Tesla announced the relocation of its headquarters from California to Austin, making way for expanded operations and bolstering the Central Texas economy.

PTG in Fort Worth: Packaging Technology Group (PTG), a provider of thermal packaging solutions and services for the bio and life sciences sector, announced a new location in Fort Worth. The project is expected to create new jobs and triple the company’s production capabilities.

Plastikon in Kyle: Plastikon Industries, an international automotive manufacturer and supplier to companies like Tesla and Toyota, will open a new facility in Kyle. The project is expected to create $13.6 million in capital investment and 200 new jobs.

SAF in Temple: SAF, a global metals distributor, fabricator and finisher, announced it will expand capacity and capabilities with a new manufacturing location in Temple. The project is expected to create 10 new jobs with the potential to reach 50 jobs in coming years.

ThredUp in Lancaster: ThredUp Inc., an online resale platform for women’s and kids’ apparel, shoes, and accessories, will invest $70 million to expand operations and build a distribution hub in Lancaster. The facility is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs.

PepsiCo in Dallas: PepsiCo announced a new digital hub in Dallas, which will include 150 new positions to optimize everything from shipping and warehouse operations to sales and marketing.

Zinc Resources in Victoria: Zinc Resources has announced a new location and at the Port of Victoria. The company will invest about $60 million and create 60 new jobs at the facility to help safely recycle hazardous dust.

Georgia-Pacific in Pineland: Georgia-Pacific announced that one of its sawmills in Pineland, Texas, will undergo $120 million in additions and improvements in an overall modernization effort that will also increase the mills’ overall production.

Hall Technologies in Coppell: Hall Technologies will move their headquarters from California to Coppell, Texas, in order to be closer to their customer base.

HomeGoods in Fort Worth: A new HomeGoods distribution center is anticipated to break ground in late November in Fort Worth, bringing with it about 1,000 potential new jobs.

Grimes Industrial in Tomball: Grimes Industrial announced they will expand their operations to a larger 11,000-square-foot facility in Tomball, adding to their production capabilities.

Tangram in Dallas: Southern California-based interior provider, Tangram announced it will bring its regional headquarters to Dallas.

Texas announced 28 economic development projects, many of which dwarfed anything on Edwards’ list, in just September and October.

Meanwhile, Mississippi is getting written up in Site Selection Magazine for the thriving startup market it’s building.

And Louisiana is losing jobs and population while its governor is busily touting less than three economic development wins per month.

It’s humiliating. What’s worse is the refusal of Louisiana’s legacy lapdog media to call out Edwards’ atrocious record for what it is.