Greater Baton Rouge Business Report: Betting on Vegas

A Baton Rouge business specializing in counter terrorism training has moved to Las Vegas.

Two weeks ago, Doron and Christine Benbenisty moved Crisis Response International--which was featured in a Nov. 25 Business Report story--to the gambling mecca of 2 million.

Though Vegas had more red tape for opening a business than Baton Rouge, the opportunities and tax advantages proved too much to resist, says Christine Benbenisty, who owns CRI with her husband. "Per-capita income is 10 percent higher here, and commercial real estate is cheaper than in Baton Rouge."

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Leaving Baton Rouge was not easy for the couple. "You don't know how much I miss Louisiana. I hated to leave," Doron Benbenisty says.

CRI will continue to train U.S. military personnel in counterterrorism tactics. CRI recently completed a two-week course for Singapore's elite special forces, including how to neutralize a suicide bomber in a sports stadium. The company also plans to offer training for casinos.