[StBernard] How Mobile AL sees move of Int'l Shipholdings

[Westley Annis]

JLY, thanks for posting this.  You know what is absurd about this is a while
back Walter Boasso proposed that a new, state of the art terminal facility
could be built on the Miss. river's east back either in St. Bernard parish
or Braithwaite where all the MRGO tenants could easily be relocated.  The
total cost to build the new facility could be paid for within 15 years (or
sooner) from the annual funds saved by not having to dredge and maintenance
the MRGO.

Now wouldn't that have made sense?  We Corps of Engineers could have already
begun the work of closing the MRGO and we wouldn't have lost a single job to
Mobile, AL or anyone else.

John Scurich


----- Original Message -----

> Let me borrow a phrase here...I know Alabama, I'm *in* Alabama.  

> Alabama, you ain't no Louisiana!

> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

> >From AL.com and Mobile Register...

>

> INTERNATIONAL SHIPHOLDING'S relocation to Mobile is a direct result of 

> Hurricane Katrina and of the city's dominant position on the northern 

> Gulf Coast.

>

> It's also an example of how state and local leaders working together 

> can lure businesses that might be thinking of abandoning the greater 

> New

Orleans

> area.

>

> International Shipholding is moving its corporate headquarters from

downtown

> New Orleans to the RSA Tower in downtown Mobile, bringing 150 jobs.

Whether

> it brings all of its New Orleans employees along or hires new people 

> in Mobile, its presence is a huge boost to the city's economy in 

> general and the Alabama state docks in particular.

>

> Soon after Hurricane Katrina's destruction of much of New Orleans, the 

> Press-Register editorial board said Mobile's future would be altered 

> as well. With so much uncertainty about what will be rebuilt -- and 

> when --

in

> south Louisiana, individuals and businesses must make decisions about 

> whether to stay or look for opportunities elsewhere.

>

> According to New Orleans CityBusiness newspaper, International

Shipholding's

> CG Railway facility took on five feet of water from Katrina and was 

> shut down for three months. The Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) 

> remains closed to deep-draft ships, hitting CG Railway's business even

harder.

> International Shipholding's net income dropped 64 percent in 2005, to 

> $4.6 million.

>

> MRGO's future, like so much else in New Orleans, is unclear. The Port 

> of

New

> Orleans offered concessions to try to keep major tenants, but 

> meanwhile

the

> Alabama state docks offered to build a $19 million terminal for CG

Railway.

> The railway had been in Mobile at one time but had moved to New 

> Orleans because of construction on the docks' Choctaw Point container 

> terminal and because the state of Louisiana had offered incentives.

>

> This time, incentives totaling at least $23 million have come from the 

> docks, the state of Alabama, Mobile city and county governments and 

> the Retirement Systems of Alabama, which owns the RSA Tower now under 

> construction.

>

> The benefits include an expected increase of 9 percent in ship traffic 

> at the state docks and 80 more spin-off jobs in the local maritime

industry.

>

> Mobile is well situated to draw more business from Louisiana. 

> Questions about homes, schools, insurance, flood protection and flood 

> zones may

force

> people to leave south Louisiana for good. Local and state leaders have

shown

> their willingness and ability to make businesses welcome.

>

> The same sort of cooperation and attention to planning will be needed 

> in other sectors besides business, however. Already there is a 

> shortage of rental housing and affordable housing in Baldwin County, 

> and a labor shortage regionally. If population and business centers 

> shift in large numbers from New Orleans eastward, Mobile and Baldwin 

> counties must be prepared to deal with increased demand for housing, 

> more traffic and

larger

> school enrollments, among other growth issues.

>

> Louisianians and those who do business in Louisiana will be watching 

> International Shipholding's move to Mobile. Its success can be a 

> harbinger of more economic growth for the Port City.

>

> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

>

> Just my personal opinion, but if this company can't recognize the loss 

> of life in SBP and the amount of damage to homes, businesses, etc., 

> from the MRGO, then...good riddance!  I think those 150 jobs can be 

> replaced in the NOLA area.

>

> JLY