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TigerRob20 
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2008
1389 posts
| IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 9:14 am)
What are the chances of this going through?
LINK
quote:
Officials are hesitant to respond to a report that Baton Rouge is a finalist—with one other city, not in Louisiana—to land a deal that would bring an IBM facility to downtown. Sources tell Daily Report that the deal would yield more than 500 jobs and would involve a partnership with LSU. But CPEX Director Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas says if Baton Rouge were to land the deal, it would be a game changer for the metro area and would validate the public investment that has been made downtown over the past two decades. "This would be a dream come true," she says. "It would be the biggest physical symbol of the success of our downtown plan and show the benefit of public investment yielding sustained private investment." Over the past few months, IBM officials have looked at several downtown sites, including the Manship property that formerly housed The Advocate and the Capital One Bank Building, which sources say would be torn down to make way for a new facility and parking garage. A source with connections to LSU says there were discussions several months ago to potentially have the state build a facility on the university's south campus, with IBM and LSU sharing space. There is no confirmed word on when IBM will make a decision on the site location, though multiple sources indicate one is expected within the next month. Mayor Kip Holden and DDD Executive Director Davis Rhorer declined to comment. LED Secretary Stephen Moret issued a statement saying, "For competitive reasons and to protect confidential company information, we can't comment on current or potential prospects."
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foshizzle
LSU Fan
Member since Mar 2008
25462 posts
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 9:43 am to TigerRob20)
Depends lots on the tax breaks they get among other things. No idea what the chances are.
FWIW a lot of big companies are trying to get sites in small towns and cities with low wage bases.
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dewster 
Maryland Fan
TN
Member since Aug 2006
4734 posts
 Online
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 10:28 am to TigerRob20)
It would be huge for Louisiana if that happened.
The state of Louisiana is fairly competitive these days for just this type of project...and Baton Rouge has both an abundance of college grads and a pretty low wage base. Until the south campus is developed, many of these parterships with LSU will have to find commercial real estate somewhere else in the city...and I guess downtown is attracting some of that.
Wasn't there another tech company that announced a move downtown about a month ago? I don't think it was anywhere near 500 jobs though. Trying to find the article.
Edit: here it is.... looks like a stand alone IT support center. 300 jobs but it looks like they are getting a grant from the state. LINK
This post was edited on 1/15 at 10:34 am
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TigerRob20
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2008
1389 posts
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 11:37 am to dewster)
Would be great to see this kind of development for BTR.
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Solo
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2008
3392 posts
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 1:06 pm to TigerRob20)
Would be great for BR and LA. Hope it happens.
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Catman88
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
36738 posts
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 1:16 pm to TigerRob20)
Wish someone would say what type of facility. I mean it could be just a server farm they want to put here that provides a job for 10 people. Or they could be moving a whole division here. Such a huge amount of possibilities.
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kennypowers816
LSU Fan
Houston
Member since Jan 2010
809 posts
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 2:38 pm to Catman88)
quote:
Wish someone would say what type of facility. I mean it could be just a server farm they want to put here that provides a job for 10 people. Or they could be moving a whole division here. Such a huge amount of possibilities.
The OP has this quoted:
quote:
Sources tell Daily Report that the deal would yield more than 500 jobs and would involve a partnership with LSU.
It doesn't seem like a server farm, but I am curious what type of jobs for 500 people... Tech? Consulting? Admin/Support? That's what I want to know
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Catman88
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
36738 posts
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Damn didnt notice that article was different from the one posted on the OT.
500 jobs for IBM in one location would seem to be a new initiative. Sounds like it could have to do with IBM's SmartCloud ecosystem. Or could simply be a Marketing and Sales center as well.
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rmc
LSU Fan
Zachary, LA
Member since Sep 2004
21213 posts
Online
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 2:57 pm to Catman88)
Got a good friend in sales for IBM, said he hasn't heard of this, but he wouldn't be in know about it anyway.
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bryso 
Clemson Fan
The Real Death Valley
Member since Dec 2006
26808 posts
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/15/13 at 7:14 pm to Catman88)
quote:
Wish someone would say what type of facility. I mean it could be just a server farm they want to put here that provides a job for 10 people. O
its more toward the 2nd thing
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ironsides
LSU Fan
new york, ny
Member since May 2006
4422 posts
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500 people could be some sort of consulting / outsourcing esp if they just got a big deal done with the state government - pure speculation. If it's outsourcing it may be job neutral (hires would replace downsizing at the government) pure speculation
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PSU2LSU 
Penn State Fan
Baton Rouge LA
Member since Apr 2011
1586 posts
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/16/13 at 10:34 am to ironsides)
I used to work for IBM, and I would guess it would be something to do with consulting or software development. The logistics department I worked for just built a new building recently in PA. As far as I know the only hardware they produce is chips in VT. The headquarters will remain in NY.
In 2002 IBM bought out PWC and last time I looked at their financial statements software had the highest margins.
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bryso
Clemson Fan
The Real Death Valley
Member since Dec 2006
26808 posts
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/16/13 at 11:36 am to ironsides)
quote:
would replace downsizing at the government)
not the case, IMO. u would already know a bout that from the govt... they always wann talk about saving money
This post was edited on 1/16 at 11:37 am
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dewster
Maryland Fan
TN
Member since Aug 2006
4734 posts
Online
| re: IBM in BTR??? (Posted on 1/16/13 at 3:46 pm to ironsides)
I think it's software development- perhaps something with smartcloud as mentioned by a a previous poster...500 jobs, a new building downtown, and a partnership with a university is not likely a server farm or some back office process team.
This post was edited on 1/16 at 3:49 pm
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