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

[Westley Annis]

Updated June 1, 2007

Twenty-one 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. The following linked reports and articles
provide a summary of recent results and the outlook in a number of key
sectors of the economy. 

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

________________________________

RECOVERY PLANNING

Nagin highlights post-K accomplishments, challenges in address
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10833> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/31/07)

As rebuilding of N.O. continues, recovery plan OK'd
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-21/1179902241314480.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/23/07)
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Unified New Orleans Plan (UNOP)
<http://unifiedneworleansplan.com/home3/> , (5/07)

N.O. plan on track, Blakely says
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1179211994259020.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/15/07)
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> 17 Targeted Recovery Zones Planned
in New Orleans <http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?tabid=95> , City of New
Orleans (4/07)

Blanco details $4.6B state contribution to recovery effort
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10615> , N.O.
CityBusiness (5/18/07)
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/static.html?id=161> , Louisiana Speaks
(5/07)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
 

Expected economic boom fails to unfold post-Katrina
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=19177> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/28/07)

Accent Marketing Services to open Boost Mobile Contact Center in Monroe
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/businesswire-archive/2007/may-2007/20070525-acc
ent-marketing-services-to-open-boost-mobile-contact-center-in-monroe.aspx> ,
LED (5/24/07)

2nd set of business funds to roll out
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/1179644048234300.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/20/07)

Louisiana scores high on economic survey
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/press-archive/2007/may-2007/20070515-louisiana-
scores-high-on-economic-survey.aspx> , Louisiana Economic Development
(5/15/07)

Harahan conveyor-belt maker to build plant in Hammond
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10482> ,
Times-Picayune (5/11/07)

Alabama lands German steel mill project
<http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/05/alabama_lands_german_steel_mil.
html> , Times-Picayune (5/11/07)

GULF OPPORTUNITY ZONE LEGISLATION & OTHER BUSINESS INCENTIVES
 

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

State Business Incentives
<http://lded.state.la.us/louisiana-businesses/business-resources/state-busin
ess-incentives.aspx> , Louisiana Economic Development (2007)

Big Easy makes play for Broadway
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-125/1178515338223430.
xml&coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/7/07)

INTERNATIONAL TRADE
 

WTC New Orleans to Host WTCA General Assembly October 21-24
<http://www.wtca2007.com/> , WTC (5/07)

1st Quarter Louisiana Exports Increase 28 Percent to $7.3 Billion
<http://www.wtcno.org/tradestats/index.html> , WTC (5/07)

Australia sees opportunity in N.O.
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/117679039355470.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (4/17/07)

Upcoming and Past WTC Programs <http://www.wtcno.org/programs/index.html> ,
WTC
 

TRANSPORTATION
 

Six added ExpressJet flights cut N.O. airport service gap
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10754> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/25/07)

Southwest considers more flights
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1179473233135750.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/18/07)

Hunter lands No. 1 N.O. airport job
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10579> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/16/07)

High-flying fest
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-0/117877881268770.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/10/07)

Breakbulk customers complain
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1179384388301370.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/17/07)

Louisiana port boards disdain consolidation
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=19009> , New Orleans
CityBuisness (5/7/07)

Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan 2007-2011
<http://www.portsoflouisiana.org/palcapimprov.pdf> , Ports Association of
Louisiana (1/07)
 

TOURISM & CONVENTIONS
 

Landrieu: More than 22.2M tourists coming in 2007
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10868> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (6/1/07)

Volunteers head south for summer camps
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1179385858301370.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/17/07)

U.S. official plugs N.O. tourism
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-0/117920936663560.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/15/07)

State of the City Report
<http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/print/articleID/1044

> , New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (5/7/07)


ENERGY
 

Rigging up to rebound
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1180597375262250.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/31/07)

Historic Gulf lease sale proposed
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10691> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/22/07)

Fueling change,
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1179641662234300.xml&
coll=1>  Times-Picayune (5/20/07)

Plan boosts offshore drilling
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-0/1178000041142420.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/1/07)

Dominion asset sale affects N.O.
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-0/1178000060142420.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/1/07)

Entergy Louisiana reduces credits
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1180509862134910.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/30/07)

Entergy N.O. to exit bankruptcy
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/117825555118460.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/4/07)

AGRICULTURE, FOOD, FORESTRY, FISHING

Wanted: Louisiana fishers with new ideas
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-21/1180509961134910.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/30/07) 

Shrimp group feud boils over
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-21/117782684954290.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/29/07) 

Blue haul
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/living-1/1180018251129830.xml
&coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/24/07)

Turtle farmers take fight to the halls of Congress
<http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/05/turtle_farmers_take_fight_to_t.
html> , Times-Picayune (5/15/07)

Corps: Levee construction will net returns for fishermen
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10528> , N.O.
CityBusiness (5/14/07)

Storms muddy waters for La. fishers
<http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/05/storms_muddy_waters_for_la_fis.
html> , Times-Picayune (5/2/07)

HURRICANE PROTECTION, FLOOD CONTROL, & COASTAL RESTORATION
 

June 1: It's hurricane season
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/118068244788590.xml&co
ll=1> , Times-Picayune (6/1/07)

General to review flood-work progress
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-3/1180598359262250.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/31/07)

MR-GO levee raising to start soon
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-6/1180510014134910.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/30/07)

Corps will ask to close MR-GO, official says
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-125/1179643849234300.
xml&coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/20/07)

Van Antwerp takes helm of the corps
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10633> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/18/07)

Senate OKs federal flood bill
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1179385516301370.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/17/07)

Comprehensive Coastal Plan Submitted for Legislature's Approval
<http://lacpra.org/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=31&catID=1> ,
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana (4/30/07)

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

HOUSING & REAL ESTATE

New Orleans Regional Business and Matchmaking Forum in South Florida
<http://www.wtcno.org/programs/2007/miami6-21.htm> , WTC (6/07)

St. Tammany Habitat outfit frames No. 100
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=10863&userID=
0&referer=dailyUpdate> , New Orleans City Business (6/1/07)

Road Home gap hits $5 billion
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-126/118068361988590.x
ml&coll=1> , Times-Picayune (6/1/07)

Apartments to replace Mid-City landmarks
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-2/118068496488590.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (6/1/07)

AP Centerpiece: New Orleans high-rises on hold as recovery crawls
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/business-4/1180461337312500.x
ml&storylist=topstories> , T-P (5/30/07)

Little-known program can turn renters into owners
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-126/1180509901134910.
xml&coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/30/07)

Officials ponder how to get more payout from insurers
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-21/1180509188134910.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/30/07)

Road Home closing door July 31
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/1180509832134910.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/30/07)

Riverfront plans taking shape
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-21/118024812281950.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/27/07)

Road Home rescue unlikely, Powell says
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/1180076745155350.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/25/07)

Public housing sits empty and waiting
<http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1179817223201
910.xml&coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/22/07)

Condo groups run insurance gambles as fees spike
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=19077> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/21/07)

Town-like mall seen at Plaza's old site
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-3/1179472960135750.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/18/07)

Cisneros team to build 320 affordable homes in Harvey project
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10580> , N.O.
CityBusiness (5/16/07)

Mid-City makeover
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=19045> ,
Times-Picayune (5/14/07)

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Nation's charter school leaders focus on N.O.
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=19175> , New Orleans
Citybusiness (5/27/07)

Ursuline nun to lead Catholic schools
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1180161225150680.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/26/07)

A proven superintendent is inspiring others to bring their skills to New
Orleans
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1180160231310980.xml&c
oll=1> , T-P (5/26/07)

Schools expect to have room
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/1179900799314480.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/23/07)

Recovery District offering bonuses
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-21/1179814532201910.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/22/07)

District toughens standard on grades
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-3/1178952238114240.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/14/07)

Vallas vows to hit ground running
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-125/117877901668770.x
ml&coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/10/07)

Colleges expect surge of freshman
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1178606025217930.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/8/07)

'It's time for action' on schools, Blanco says
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1178001050321850.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/2/07)

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

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

Louisiana adds nearly 70,000 jobs in a year
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10766> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/25/07)

A clog in the line
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1179038114234970.xml&
coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/13/07)

Orleans Parish population estimated at 255,000
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=10312> , New Orleans
CityBusiness (5/3/07)

Most to stay open, stockpile supplies
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/library-126/118024983981950.x
ml&coll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/27/07)

Local clinics to get millions
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1180078615155350.xml&c
oll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/25/07)

LSU hospital gets vote of cash and confidence
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-0/117955706476540.xml&co
ll=1> , Times-Picayune (5/19/07)

Katrina Index: Tracking Variables of Post-Katrina Reconstruction
<http://www.gnocdc.org/KI/KatrinaIndex.pdf> , Brookings Institution
(5/17/07)

Louisiana Fact Book, 2007 Edition
<http://www.cabl.org/pdfs/2007_FactBook.pdf> , Council for a Better
Louisiana (2/07)

2006 Louisiana Health and Population Survey
<http://popest.org/popestla2006/> , Louisiana Public Health Institute

	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/>  
	*	Advocate <http://www.2theadvocate.com/>  
	*	Shreveport Times <http://www.shreveporttimes.com/>  
	*	New York Times <http://www.nytimes.com>  
	*	Associated Press <http://www.ap.org>  

	

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Founded in 1943 as a not-for-profit membership organization, the World Trade
Center of New Orleans was the first of what are today 300 WTCs in 85
countries that service more than 750,000 businesses engaged in international
commerce. WTC New Orleans' mission is to add wealth and jobs in New Orleans
and Louisiana through international trade, port development, and allied
activities. The WTC conducts international trade education, training, and
networking programs and provides trade information and other services for
its 1,900 members and Louisiana's business community at large. Information
on WTC membership, programs, facilities and services is posted at
www.wtcno.org. 
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