[StBernard] LRA Progress Report - October 22, 2007

[Westley Annis]

LRA Progress Report - October 22, 2007

In this issue: 

*	Louisiana Family Recovery Corps Launches Program to Provide Aid for Housing Assistance 
*	FEMA to Provide Relocation Assistance to Displaced Louisianians 
*	"Forever New Orleans" Travel Show Airs Around the World
*	New Orleans Airport to Reach 80 Percent of Pre-Katrina Flights in November 
*	Filing Deadline for Second Round of Business Recovery Grants is October 31


Louisiana Family Recovery Corps Launches Program to Provide Aid for Housing Assistance 

The Louisiana Family Recovery Corps is taking applications for its new program offering aid for rental, utility, and other household expenses. The newly created Household Establishment Fund (HEF) will offer one-time assistance to hurricane-affected residents of Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson and Orleans parishes. Applicants can call 1-800-333-3104 to determine their eligibility and to set up an initial interview. To learn more visit: http://www.recoverycorps.org/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=59 <http://www.recoverycorps.org/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=59>  


FEMA to Provide Relocation Assistance to Displaced Louisianians 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that it will provide relocation assistance to residents displaced by the 2005 hurricanes. The program will reimburse up to $4,000 in relocation expenses incurred between August 25, 2005 and February 29, 2008. Expenses covered under the Relocation Assistance program include travel costs, furniture transportation expenses and lodging costs in some cases. To apply for FEMA's Reimbursement Assistance program call1.800.621.3362. To read the full press release from FEMA visit: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41322 <http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41322>  

"Forever New Orleans" Travel Show Airs Around the World

The New Orleans Convention and Visitor's Bureau, in partnership with Pet Bird Entertainment, LLC, announced that its mainstream travel show "Forever New Orleans" will air in over 50 countries, reaching approximately 119 million homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. "Forever New Orleans" was created and is hosted by award-winning journalist Karen Carlson and features the culture, cuisine, attractions and history of New Orleans. The New Orleans CVB's Forever New Orleans Campaign was part of the tourism marketing program recommended for funding by the Louisiana Recovery Authority Board. To see a preview of the show, visit: http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/view/articleID/1527/typeID/1 <http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/view/articleID/1527/typeID/1>  


New Orleans Airport to Reach 80 Percent of Pre-Katrina Flights in November 

Louis Armstrong International Airport is expected to reach 80 percent of its pre-Katrina flights in November when the New Orleans airport will add flights to Birmingham, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas and Orlando, for a total 35 flights to 11 cities. The airport will have 126 daily flight departures in November with nearly 15,000 available seats. To read the full story from New Orleans City Business visit: http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=13291&userID=0&referer=dailyUpdate <http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=13291&userID=0&referer=dailyUpdate> 


Filing Deadline for Second Round of Business Recovery Grants is October 31

October 31 is the deadline to submit documentation for the second half of grants through the Business Recovery Grant and Loan program. More than 3,400 businesses received grants under the program. Disbursement Request Forms, which include instructions, may be found on LED's web site by visiting: http://www.elabs7.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=30vxv,67s7,2e6,81au,73fk,h9z9,f6jo <http://www.elabs7.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=30vxv,67s7,2e6,81au,73fk,h9z9,f6jo> 


Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana. 

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