[StBernard] LRA Progress Report -- May 19, 2006

[Westley Annis]

In this edition:

*	
	Homeowners can still watch LPB program on The Road Home
*	
	Distribution of Southeast Louisiana emergency evacuation maps begins
*	
	FEMA Holds Family Preparedness Days
*	
	Governor's Column: A Great Week for Louisiana's Recovery
*	
	Upcoming events of the LRA
	


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Homeowners can still watch LPB program on The Road Home


Encore presentations of "Louisiana Public Square," a one-hour Louisiana
Public Broadcasting program that focuses this month on the LRA's housing
plan will air again statewide this weekend. This program features Governor
Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and other panelists answering tough questions from
residents and homeowners about Louisiana's housing program. The Road Home
provides financial assistance for homeowners to get back into their homes
and creates powerful incentives to rebuild rental properties so that every!
one can have a chance to come home.

For a full listing of stations airing "Louisiana Public Square," please
click here <http://lra.louisiana.gov/pr051706lpb.html> .


Distribution of Southeast Louisiana emergency evacuation maps begins

Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco announced this week that citizens of
southeast Louisiana can now pick up their own copy of the state's 2006
emergency evacuation map at dozens of locations throughout the area. 

The 2006 version of the plan contains some updated safety and contact
information. But the evacuation map and contraflow plan have remained the
same. People who have the 2005 version can still use the map portion for
planning purposes. 

The plan is available at dozens of locations, including Wal-Mart, Home
Depot, Lowe's libraries and post offices. The plan can also be downloaded
from one of the following Web sites: 

Louisiana State <http://www.lsp.org>  Police <http://www.lsp.org> 

Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
<dhtmled3:www.ohsep.louisiana.gov>  

Department of Transportation and Development
<http://www.dotd.louisiana.gov/maps>  

To read the whole story, visit this site
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=1867>
. 


FEMA Holds Family Preparedness Days

Family Preparedness Day will be held in Louisiana on Sunday, May 21, with
entertainment, food and learning at sites in New Orleans and Lake Charles.
Fun will be woven into the essential work of planning for the uncertainty of
the upcoming hurricane season. The events will feature important information
and free supplies to help prepare individuals and families to find safe
shelter inside their homes, or to evacuate their homes or neighborhoods
during any emergency. 

*	In Lake Charles, the event will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the
Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheatre and Grounds, 900 Lakeshore Drive. 
*	In New Orleans the event will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Reily
Student Recreation Center, Tulane University.


Governor's Column: A Great Week for Louisiana's Recovery

Make no mistake: last week brought in a wave of good news for Louisiana's
recovery. The first round of funding we have been fighting for in Washington
is finally coming our way. On Wednesday, the federal government approved
$368.4 million in resources in response to the Action Plan the state
submitted. 

These long awaited resources will enable us to enact four key steps of my
plan for Louisiana's recovery. First, we will do more to shore up our
struggling businesses and strengthen the state's economy. The federal
funding allows us to devote an additional $95 million to Louisiana's Small
Business Bridge Loan Program. The state has already given millions in loans
to small businesses. We now have an expanded capacity to provide businesses
with the cash flow needed to survive. 

To read the full column, visit this site
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=1868>
. 


Upcoming events of the LRA:


Thursday, May 25, 2006

Event: Long-Term Community Planning Task Force 

Time: 12:00 to 2:00pm 

Location: Greater New Orleans Foundation: 1055 St. Charles Ave., ste. 100,
New Orleans 

Thursday, June 1, 2006

Event: Environmental Task Force

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Department of Environmental Quality Headquarters, Room 1051 of the
Galvez Building in Baton Rouge


A full listing of upcoming events, including dates of future board meetings
is online at http://lra.louisiana.gov/events.html
<http://lra.louisiana.gov/events.html> 



Agendas are posted online as they become available. All meetings are open to
the public.

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