09/05/2026
Meet Matthew Fairbrother, Economic Competitiveness & Analytics Manager at Louisiana Economic Development.
Behind Louisiana’s economic progress are the data, research and strategies that help identify where the state is succeeding and where new opportunities exist.
As part of LED’s Economic Competitiveness team, Matthew studies Louisiana’s strengths, explores policies and best practices from across the country and uses data to help turn those insights into strategies that support the state’s continued growth. His work helps ensure Louisiana’s story is not only compelling, but backed by the numbers.
One project he is especially proud of is helping develop the FastSites program from its earliest stages. From researching how other states approach site development to identifying what would work best for Louisiana, Matthew helped shape a program that is now translating strategy into investments and improvements at sites across the state.
For Matthew, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is finding Louisiana’s wins and helping tell the story behind them. Through collaboration with regional partners, higher education, research institutions, state agencies and communities, he sees firsthand how working together can create greater opportunities across Louisiana.
Fun fact: Before joining the world of economic development, Matthew was a sixth grade social studies teacher. His teaching career originally brought him to Louisiana eight years ago, and he has called the state home ever since.
