It was another busy week in the world of business in the Shreveport-Bossier area and Business in the 318 is here to sort it all out for you. Check out this round up of news featuring grocery store groundbreakings, startup Prize winners, 90th anniversaries and businesses investing in the port.
Brookshire’s Grocery hosts ground breaking for new store in North Bossier City
On Wednesday representatives from Brookshire Grocery Co. and the City of Bossier City gathered for an official groundbreaking ceremony.
The ceremony was to commemorate the new Brookshire’s store coming to Bossier City.
The community was invited to attend the event and take photos with the company’s 13-foot tall motorized “Big Grocery Cart.”
“We are very excited for Brookshire’s to be building this flagship new store in north Bossier, it is a testament to the growth of Bossier but also the great business climate we have here and so we are very excited to see this open in 2022,” Jessica Hemingway, Vice President at the Bossier Chambers of Commerce said.
Former LSU Health School of Medicine dean is now at Willis-Knighton Health System
Renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. G.E. Ghali, joined the Willis-Knighton Health System Tuesday.
Ghali’s leadership in his field has led to numerous honors. He has been heavily involved in research and scientific publication, as well as presentations at national and international events, including lectures to all branches of the military regarding the management of maxillofacial injuries.
He will continue seeing patients and performing oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures at Willis-Knighton’s South, North, Pierremont and Bossier hospitals.
“My family and I are thrilled that an opportunity has arisen for us to remain in Shreveport to continue serving the citizens of our region, as well as continuing to mentor students, residents and fellows. My wife Hope and I are happy to be able to continue to raise our son and three daughters here in the Shreveport-Bossier community,” he said.
Shreveport company named winner of 2021 Louisiana Startup Prize
This year, the award-winning Louisiana Startup Prize in partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program and LSU Health Shreveport announced Arganum Transplant Solutions as the grand prize winner.
The Shreveport-based company aims to transform the organ preservation market by providing a solution that will revolutionize organ transplantation.
“We couldn’t be more excited to win the 2021 LA Startup Prize! This victory is already increasing the visibility of our company. We plan to use the prize money to build many essential outreach, web and professional platforms for our startup,” says CEO Ricardo Costa.
Since 2014, Startup Prize has established itself as an entrepreneurial competition where innovative minds from Northwest Louisiana and across the country compete for a $10,000 cash prize plus business service for a total of $25,000 in value and opportunities for investment.
Shreveport jewelry store marks 90th anniversary
Clarkes Jewelers marked its 90th anniversary amid the holiday season rush.
“90 years is a milestone for a business,” Jay Mitchell, co-owner and president of Clarkes said.
The family-owned business was recognized as one of the longest operating retail establishments in Shreveport on Tuesday, Dec. 7.
On Tuesday the original store received recognition with a plaque on the wall.
Today, Clarkes Jewelers is proud to offer an exclusive selection of fine jewelry for those seeking the extraordinary with the convenience of shopping locally, with a history of helping customers choose the perfect jewelry for all occasions.
Waitr makes special delivery to Shreveport area food bank
Louisiana-based Waitr made a special holiday delivery to a local food bank, providing food donations from local restaurants.
This year Waitr delivered the non-perishable food items to the Lovewell Center following the company’s month-long holiday food drive.
The food app collected non-perishable food donations at area restaurants that partnered with Waitr to help feed local families in need this holiday season.
Donations were picked up from Firehouse Subs, Dillas Quesadilla, Chimi V’s Fajita Factory, The Corner Pantry and Imperial Cathay.
Bia Energy announces possible blue methanol production plant coming to 318
Bia Energy Operating Company announced that it is evaluating a $550 million blue methanol production plant that would be located at the Port of Caddo-Bossier in Shreveport.
The possibility of this plant could result in the creation of 75 direct new jobs, with an average annual salary of $80,000, plus benefits.
Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project would result in 390 indirect jobs, for a total of 465 new jobs in Louisiana’s Northwest region.
The plant would feature carbon capture capabilities, reducing carbon dioxide, or CO2, emissions by more than 90 percent compared to other methanol plants.
What stores will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
The cookies are in the oven baking up for their big reveal when you remember you forgot the milk.
What stores are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Ternium USA invests $98M in the Port of Caddo-Bossier
A leading steel producer in America is planning to expand its facility at the Port of Caddo-Bossier with an investment of $98 million. Ternium USA Inc. will be retaining 157 jobs and will be creating 35 new direct jobs.
The Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 98 indirect jobs, for a total of 133 new jobs in Louisiana’s Northwest Region.
Ternium will be adding a second coil coating paint line with an annual capacity of 120,000 tons, which will increase its production capacity in the U.S. by 53%, among other improvements.
“This is exciting news for The Port of Caddo-Bossier and Northwest Louisiana,” Eric England, executive port director said.
‘Heroes and Helpers,’ Shreveport Police and Fire Department make Christmas brighter for 10 kids
The Shreveport Police Department and Fire Department teamed up with Target once again for the department store’s annual “Heroes and Helpers” program.
This program is designed to pair public safety officials with community youth for holiday shopping sprees.
Counselors at area schools selected ten children to go all out on a $150 shopping spree.
“This is the time of year us first responders, fire department and police department jointly look forward to interacting with little kids, interacting with each other because we are parents, sons, daughters, citizens of this community and we love and care for people in this community,” Chief Wayne Smith, Shreveport Police Department said.
Don’t forget to check out The Briefcase, our weekly roundup of business briefs. This week JanOne Inc. Acquires an Exclusive License for a Novel Strategy for Treating Meth Use and LSU Shreveport Graduate Students Win International Market Study Competition.
Be on the lookout Friday and Sunday for Life in the 318 and The 318 to catch up on all the best stories you might have missed.
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at [email protected]