Louisiana Tech Research Institute building officially opens in Bossier City

Makenzie Boucher, Shreveport Times
·2 min read
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Louisiana Tech University hosted a ribbon cutting Monday for the Louisiana Tech Research Institute in Bossier City.

"I'm passionate about this," said Leslie K. Guice, president of Louisiana Tech University. "Just knowing the impact it's going to have in this community for many years to come."

This facilities mission is to provide preeminent interdisciplinary research and integrated education capability to solve complex problems facing the nation.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said the state is number one in the country in terms of talent pipeline for tech.

"We are starting to be known as a tech hub and as a tech talent pipeline," he said. "The future is very bright, and I'm excited."

He continued by saying that he is glad that Louisiana was able to stabilize its budget and start investing in critical elements, such as higher education.

This new facility is a formal partnership with Louisiana Tech University and other local and national partners.

Louisiana Tech University hosted a ribbon cutting for the new Louisiana Tech Research Institute (LTRI) building, Oct. 30, 2023.
Louisiana Tech University hosted a ribbon cutting for the new Louisiana Tech Research Institute (LTRI) building, Oct. 30, 2023.

According to LTRI, its goal is to:

  • enable Louisiana Tech University to secure new work in new ways from both industry and defense partners

  • provide the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Global Strike Command with next-door access to a dedicated R&D/applied research center and strategic intellectual thought/capital

  • build focused competences to attract talent and industry

  • serve as the official home for deterrence-, cyber-, defense-, and intelligence-related education, training and workforce development programs for North Louisiana.

"This building is built to a standard that allows us to do unique work with the federal government," said Kevin Nolten, vice president of the Cyber Innovation Center. "This type of building is rarely found outside of the Washington, D.C., area."

Edwards said there's not a state in the nation that wouldn't prefer to have this campus within its borders.

More: State and local leaders break ground on new Northwest Louisiana State Office building

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana Tech Research Institute building opens in Bossier City