Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal held a press conference Tuesday at Louisiana Tech University to announce capital outlay funding for various building projects and to highlight several economic development initiatives taking place on and around the Louisiana Tech campus. Jindal was joined by Louisiana Tech President Dan Reneau along with local and state leaders at University Hall – the future home for Louisiana Tech’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center.  Jindal said the capital outlay funds will be used primarily to support construction taking place at Louisiana Tech’s research park, Enterprise Campus, and the university’s new College of Business building. “We were delighted to have Governor Jindal on our campus today and are very pleased with the funding provided for Louisiana Tech,” said Reneau.  “These monies will provide the seed funds necessary to continue our university’s economic development activities and impacts throughout north Louisiana.” During his presentation, Jindal recognized Louisiana Tech for its many institutional and research accomplishments, and the praised the vision of Reneau as a university leader.  He also focused on the Louisiana Tech’s prospects for future growth and performance. “The announcement of these funds will provider for greater opportunity for the faculty and staff of Louisiana Tech to continue the work they are doing to better our state,” said Jindal.  “But most of all, it’s the students that will benefit from new facilities which will help them to be successful.” Enterprise Campus, dedicated in October 2009, was established to serve as a home for high-tech companies looking to utilize the intellectual and research strengths of Louisiana Tech.  It is also expected to house government entities that wish to partner with the university in research, education and training, and other business development activities. Tech Pointe, the first multi-tenant building in Enterprise Campus, is expected to open within the next couple of weeks with several high-tech companies as well as an Air Force-funded cyberspace research lab occupying the 42,000 square-foot facility. Louisiana Tech’s new College of Business building is currently under construction next to Tech Pointe and will serve as the centerpiece for the university’s business and entrepreneurship programs.  Students and faculty will have access to new state-of-the-art classrooms, offices, computer labs, two auditoriums, meeting rooms, research centers and student support and career resources. The building’s strategic placement between the academic campus and the research park is intended to bring business acumen and innovative thinking together in order to create new economic development opportunities for our entire region. “Louisiana Tech has worked hard to distinguish itself as the entrepreneurial and innovative epicenter of the region,” Reneau said.  “With the ongoing support of our local leaders, Governor and all those in Baton Rouge, we can continue to create new opportunities for the citizens and communities of north Louisiana.” In addition to the ongoing construction of Enterprise Campus and the College of Business building, Louisiana Tech is nearing completion of the Homer Street Development project – an EDA-funded infrastructure enhancement venture with the City of Ruston.  The project will provide for major improvements to the underground utility infrastructure, streetscape aesthetics, and navigation between Louisiana Tech’s campus and downtown Ruston.