[StBernard] New Directory of Louisiana Projects

[Westley Annis]

The World Trade Center is frequently asked by companies in this country and
abroad for a list of projects that are planned and under development in
connection with the rebuilding and economic recovery of south Louisiana in
the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

These inquiring companies are aware that there are billions of dollars of
construction of all types going on or planned in the region and their
request is always simple: please send us a list of the projects.

However, we are not aware of any such comprehensive list that is available
from a single source, and so the WTC is meeting this need by preparing a
detailed list of projects planned or underway throughout the state that we
are able to identify. We seek your cooperation and assistance in this
effort. 

The student interns working with the WTC's 1st Stop for International
Business Services (www.wtcno.org/1ststop), in cooperation with Louisiana
Economic Development, Greater New Orleans Inc., and other organizations, are
now in the process of compiling a "Directory of Louisiana Projects" to
include projects that are in the planning or development stage, whether they
be new ones or in the rebuilding or renovation phase. The list includes
residential housing projects, apartment and condo developments, office
buildings, stores and shopping malls, hotels, levees and floodwalls, roads,
port facilities, schools, hospitals, churches, industrial and other projects
of all types.  

If your company or any other entity you know has a project and would like to
list it free of charge in the new Directory, please complete and submit the
brief online form <http://www.wtcno.org/projects/projects-form.htm> . The
Directory will be available and posted on the WTC website in the next few
weeks(www.wtcno.org), and we encourage you to access it if you wish to
pursue new business opportunities in any of the areas noted above. 

The Directory will include contact information for each project, estimated
dollar value, the status, timing, needed inputs (such as financing), and
other relevant information of interest to prospective U.S. and foreign
investors, joint venture partners, contractors, engineering firms, and
suppliers of building materials and other goods, services, technologies,
labor, and capital. 

The Directory will be widely distributed electronically, including to all of
the nearly 300 World Trade Centers in 85 countries that service more than
750,000 businesses engaged in international commerce. It also will be
distributed to the 400-plus delegates expected to attend the 2007 General
Assembly of the World Trade Centers Association to be held in New Orleans
October 21-24. This is the most important event on the Association's annual
calendar and will be the first time in the Association's 37-year history for
it to be held in New Orleans. 

If you have any questions about the new "Directory of Louisiana Projects,"
please contact:

Chad Odom, Manager
1st Stop for International Business Services
2 Canal Street, Suite 2900
Tel: (504) 529-1601, ext 262
Fax: (504) 569-1557
codom at wtcno.org 
www.wtcno.org/1ststop 
  

If you would like information on the many benefits of membership in the
World Trade Center, click here <http://wtcno.org/membership/benefits.htm> .