[StBernard] Rebuilding New Orleans: A Synopsis - February 2007 Update

[Westley Annis]

Updated February 1, 2007

Seventeen months after the devastating effects of Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita, considerable progress has been made toward reviving the local economy.
There is still a great deal more to be done, with many serious challenges
and attractive opportunities ahead. The following linked reports and
articles provide a current summary of recent results and the outlook in a
number of key sectors of the economy. 

For more information, 1st Stop's Category Index
<http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/categories/index.htm>  provides additional
news items, websites and databases (updated daily) for 31 economic and
government-related categories. 
 
________________________________


RECOVERY PLANNING

Grand Plan
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/117031643820570.xml&co
ll=1> , Times-Picayune (2/1/07)

Louisiana Speaks Regional Vision Poll
<http://www.vision.louisianaspeaks.org/index.php> , Louisiana Speaks
(1/22/07)
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Creating a Regional Vision:
Choices and Options <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/showdoc.html?id=2541> ,
Louisiana Speaks (1/22/07)

N.O. planners' vision will cost $14 billion
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1170228330319700.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/31/07)
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Final Draft of the Citywide
Strategic Recovery and Rebuilding Plan
<http://www.unifiedneworleansplan.com/home2/> , The Unified New   Orleans
Plan (10/06)

Cornell team provides New Orleans officials and planners with detailed plan
for rebuilding devastated 9th Ward
<http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Jan07/CRP.NewOrleans.dea.html> ,
Chronicle Online (1/30/07)
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> A Peoples' Plan for Overcoming the
Hurricane Katrina Blues
<http://www.crp.cornell.edu/outreach/nopi/peoples_plan.mgi> , ACORN
Housing/University Partnership (1/07)

Moving Louisiana Forward: Governor Blanco Highlights 2006 Progress
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=2452&
printer=1> , State of Louisiana (12/29/06)

2007 Critical Year for Recovery and Rebuilding Efforts
<http://www.cityofno.com/Portals/Portal46/portal.aspx?portal=46&load=~/Porta
lModules/ViewPressRelease.ascx&itemid=3733> , City of New Orleans (12/29/06)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT


Louisiana Business Recovery Grant and Loan Program Progress Report
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/press-archive/2007/january-2007/20070131-louisi
ana-business-recovery-grant-and-loan-program-progress-report.aspx> ,
Louisiana Economic Development (1/31/07)

Pipe and steel fabrication plant to open in Baton Rouge
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/businesswire-archive/2007/january-2007/20070131
-pipe-and-steel-fabrication-plant-to-open-in-baton-rouge.aspx> , Louisiana
Economic Development (1/31/07)

Lt. Governor hosts third annual Cultural Economy Summit
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/businesswire-archive/2007/january-2007/20070130
-lt-governor-hosts-third-annual-cultural-economy-summit.aspx> , Louisiana
Economic Development (1/30/07)

Chinese to invest $20M in N.O. commerce center
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8574> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/29/07)

7,000 N.O. jobs possible with Korean company
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=17947> , New
Orleans CityBusiness (1/22/07)

A Force for Change
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1169365019226560.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/21/07)

Ethanol plant investor has sweet dreams
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1169364365226560.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/21/07)

Powell says feds want to help bring jobs to New Orleans
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8418> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/20/07)

La. sends envoys to German company,
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/116901675157310.xml>
Times-Picayune (1/17/07)

Biodiesel firm may build plant
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1168067389127710.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/6/07)

GULF OPPORTUNITY ZONE LEGISLATION & OTHER BUSINESS INCENTIVES


The Louisiana Gulf Opportunity Zone Business Guide
<http://www.gozoneguide.com> , Louisiana Economic Development (2007)

Insurance incentives suggested by panel
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/117031499020570.xml&co
ll=1> , Times-Picayune (2/1/07)

Business Incentives Report
<http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/pdf/Business%20Incentives%20Report.doc> , City
of New Orleans (12/06)

New Orleans: A Culture of Opportunity
<http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/pdf/New%20Orleans%20Opportunities.pdf> , City
of New Orleans (10/06)

INTERNATIONAL TRADE


Aussies to open WTC trade Center
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=8512&userID=0
&referer=dailyUpdate> , New Orleans CityBusiness (1/23/07)

Tariff's Toll
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1168326298152570.xml&
coll=1&thispage=2> , Times-Picayune (1/9/07)

Louisiana exports surge 16.2 percent in first nine months of 2006
<http://www.wtcno.org/tradestats/index.html> , WTC (11/06)

Principal WTC Programs Since Hurricane Katrina
<http://www.wtcno.org/email/links/links.htm> , WTC


TRANSPORTATION


Port Seeks collaborative effort for security funding
<http://www.portno.com/pdfs/headline1.pdf> , Port of New Orleans (1/25/07)

Feds sign off on bid to raise road to port
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/116841168889460.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/10/07)

Steel Imports Spur Recovery of Port
<http://63.243.21.112:8083/prsrel010807.pdf> , Port of New Orleans (1/8/07)

Fourchon oil port joins list for federal security grants
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/1168069870297680.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/6/07)

ExpressJet to land in N.O.
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8618> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/30/07)

Airport Forecast: Friendlier Skies
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/116901782357310.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/17/07)
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Air Service Update
<http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/pdf/Air%20Service%20Update%2010-06.pdf> ,
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (1/9/07)

Truck puts New Orleans streets on road to recovery
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1170228217319700.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/31/07)

State $14B behind in road repairs
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8485> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/25/07)

State stuck in a rut, group says
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/116823906715260.xml&co
ll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/8/07)
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Making the Grade in Louisiana
<http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/pdf/Making%20the%20grade%20in%20Louisiana.pdf>
, TRIP (1/07)


AGRICULTURE, FISHING, & FOOD PROCESSING

Experts predict large crawfish crop for 2007
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8434> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/22/07)

Agriculture secretary seeks better farm bill
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1168499375110410.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/11/07)

Odom Taking Comments on Upcoming 2007 Farm Bill
<http://www.ldaf.state.la.us/aboutldaf/presscenter/pressreleases/pressreleas
e.asp?id=586> , Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (1/10/07)

ENERGY INDUSTRY


Rival plans on Entergy N.O. get OK
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/1169797144146480.xml>
, times-Picayune (1/26/07)

Dominion in play on Wall Street
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8500> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/25/07)

McMoRan borrows $100M for future drilling, debt
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8461> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/23/07)

DEQ permits plant's expansion
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/116953819215500.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/23/07)

$1B LNG plant to cut costs, up inventory
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=17935> , New
Orleans CityBusiness (1/22/07)

PCS splits Entergy Gulf States into two companies
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8366> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/18/07)


Goodrich Petroleum selling south Louisiana interests
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8309> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/16/07)

Louisiana gains six rigs in a week
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8302> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/15/07)

Bush raises deepwater royalties
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/116841307189460.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/10/07)

TOURISM & CONVENTIONS


New Orleans CVB Announces Aggressive Rebranding Campaign
<http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/print/articleID/828>
, New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (1/25/07)

State of the City Report
<http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/print/articleID/807>
, New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (1/17/07)

Planners leaving the city with round of applause
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-0/1169709966320640.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/24/07)

6,500 school administrators to meet in New Orleans
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8464> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/23/07)

More than a 1,000 vessels showcased at 37th annual Boat Show
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8334> , City Business
(1/17/07)

Parish to frolic for 'Family Gras'
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-118/116901823657310.x
ml> , Times-Picayune (1/17/07)

House claims $223M at Louisiana casinos in December
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8317> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/16/07)

2011 is tourism recovery target
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1168500315110410.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/11/07)

Galatoire's wins top restaurant honor
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/116841280589460.xml&co
ll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/10/07)

HURRICANE PROTECTION, FLOOD CONTROL, & COASTAL RESTORATION


East bank levee board complete
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-19/1170227984319700.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/31/07)

Corps agrees to alter MR-GO work plans
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-19/1170228724319700.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/31/07)

Corps to armor East Jeff levees
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1169880672214980.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/27/07)

Corps awards $22M pump contract for 17th Street Canal
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8358> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/18/07)

Corps to let $1B in 2007 Contracts
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=17899> , New
Orleans CityBusiness (1/15/07)

Corps awards SELA West Bank contracts
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8246> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/12/07)

$31M Gardere Canal improvements begin February
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8249> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/12/07)

Comprehensive Coastal Protection Master Plan for Louisiana Preliminary Draft
<http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/pdf/Comprehensive%20coastal%20protection%20mas
ter%20plan%20for%20Louisiana%20preliminary%20draft.pdf> , Louisiana Coastal
Protection & Restoration Authority Integrated Planning Team (12/06)

White House Press Briefing on Gulf Coast Rebuilding
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060822-5.html> , White
House (8/22/06)

Levee Update <http://www.wtcno.org/email/progress/LeveeUpdate.pdf>  by Lt.
Gen. Carl Strock, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (6/1/06)

HOUSING & REAL ESTATE

The Road Home closes 133 applicants in one week
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=8628&userID=0
&referer=dailyUpdate> , New Orleans CityBusiness (1/31/07)

Rental Road Home gets rolling
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/1170228245319700.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/31/07)

WTC Issues Request for Development Qualifications and Lease Proposals for
WTC Building <http://www.wtcno.org/Proposals-1-31-07-web.pdf> , WTC
(1/31/07)

Blanco traveling to woo insurers to La
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1170055765200240.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/29/07)

Trump tower OK stuck in traffic
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-19/116962261098400.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (1/24/07)

Gift Wrapped: Habitat home comes in a box, ready to assemble
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-19/116962391498400.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/24/07)

Louisiana to press State Farm for settlement
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1169714284320640.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/24/07)

History factory could be cut into 54 artist apartments
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8412> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/22/07)

FEMA extends housing deadline
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/116927707467460.xml> ,
Times-Picayune (1/20/07)

$239M property tax credit to offset insurance premium costs
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8393> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/19/07)

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

NOPS building sales could be worth millions for district
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=18039> , New
Orleans CityBusiness (1/29/07)

Voucher drive gets fresh push
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-119/1169881216214980.
xml> , Times-Picayune (1/27/07)

New Orleans area regains some jobs
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/1169797174146480.xml>
, Times-Picayune (1/26/07)

N.O. struggles to find teachers
<http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=20035403
23&zsection_id=2002107549&slug=teach25&date=20070125> , Associated Press
(1/25/07)

$18M Chevron donation helps fuel recovery for schools
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=17961> , New
Orleans CityBusiness (1/22/07)

Louisiana 10th in new national teacher certifications
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=8174> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (1/9/07)

Monthly Labor Review, Special Issue: Hurricane Katrina, U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics <http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2006/08/contents.htm>  (8/06)


SOCIAL & ECONOMIC INDICATORS & TRENDS (Population, Economy, Health Care,
Education, Civil & Criminal Justice, Quality of Life)


Katrina Index Monthly Summary of Findings
<http://www.gnocdc.org/KI/ESKatrinaIndex.pdf> , Brookings Institute (1/07)

Katrina Index: Tracking Variables of Post-Katrina Reconstruction
<http://www.gnocdc.org/KI/KatrinaIndex.pdf> , Brookings Institution
(1/17/07)

LRA estimates the population of St. Tammany is just 220,000
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-2/116962450498400.xml> ,
Times-Picayune (1/24/07)

Hospitals go online to coordinate their efforts
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-119/116953810115500.x
ml> , Times-Picayune (1/23/07)

$300 million OK'd for new Charity
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/116927656967460.xml> ,
Times-Picayune (1/20/07)

A One-Year Review of Key Indicators of Recovery in Post-Storm New Orleans
<http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/2006_KatrinaIndex.pdf> , Brookings
Institute (8/06)

New Orleans One Year After Katrina
<http://www.wtcno.org/email/progress/GCR-New-Orleans-One-Year-Forward-REPORT
.pdf> , GCR & Associates, Inc. (8/06)

New Orleans Perspectives on Recovery
<http://www.wtcno.org/email/progress/GCR-New-Orleans-One-Year-Forward.pdf> ,
GCR & Associates, Inc. (8/06)

	Useful local media websites for current news and information:
	

	*	Times-Picayune/Nola.com <http://www.nola.com> 
	*	New Orleans CityBusiness
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com> 
	*	BayouBuzz.com <http://www.bayoubuzz.com> 
	*	Greater Baton Rouge Business Report
<http://www.businessreport.com/> 
	*	ShreveportTimes.com <http://www.shreveporttimes.com/> 
	*	2TheAdvocate.com <http://www.2theadvocate.com/> 
	*	New York Times <http://www.nytimes.com> 
	*	Associated Press <http://www.ap.org> 

	

________________________________


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