[StBernard] LRA Progress Report - October 26, 2007

[Westley Annis]

LRA Progress Report - October 26, 2007


In this issue: 

*	LSU Study Projects 75,000 New Jobs in Louisiana Next Year
*	Community Center Coming to the Ninth Ward
*	More than 200 Students to Participate in "The Big Easy Fix Up"
*	Deadline to Schedule Road Home Interview Approaches

LSU Study Projects 75,000 New Jobs in Louisiana Next Year

The 2008-2009 Louisiana Economic Outlook report released by LSU economists suggests Louisiana will add 75,000 new jobs next year. The forecast for new jobs highlights the New Orleans area as a hotspot for job growth due in large part to approximately $5 billion in construction projects underway or planned. The report also notes that, from an employment standpoint, the greater Lake Charles area has fully recovered from Hurricane Rita and is setting record levels of employment. To read the full study from LSU click here <http://appl003.lsu.edu/unv002.nsf/9faf000d8eb58d4986256abe00720a51/db78da7707df00798625737800480843?OpenDocument> . 

Community Center Coming to the Ninth Ward 

The Leaders in Education, Empowerment and Purpose group, a recently formed neighborhood alliance in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, plans to renovate a 15,000 square ft. building in the heart of the Ninth Ward, with the hope establishing a community center that will be positive force for the neighborhood. Local charitable organizations Emergency Communities and Common Ground have provided cleanup crews and have agreed to help with construction, which is estimated to cost $100,000. To learn more about Emergency Communities or to donate to the organization click here <http://emergencycommunities.org/cafe.htm>  
To learn more about Common Ground or to donate to the organization visit http://www.commongroundrelief.org/. 


More than 200 Students to Participate in "The Big Easy Fix Up"

On Saturday student volunteers from Louisiana State University and City Year, an organization that provides students academic support and leadership development, will be in New Orleans at Live Oak Elementary School to paint school buildings and landscape its grounds. The Live Oak Elementary School re-opened this past spring, following closure due to Hurricane Katrina. For information on City Year in Louisiana click here <http://www.cityyear.org/sites/louisiana/> . 

Deadline to Schedule Road Home Interview Approaches

The Road Home program deadline for applicants to schedule an initial interview is December 1, 2007. All appointments must be completed by December 15, 2007. Appointments are available at 11 Housing Assistance Centers across Louisiana and in Houston. Applicants who live out of state may conduct a telephone appointment and complete an application packet through the mail. However, The Road Home strongly encourages homeowners to conduct appointments in person if at all possible. Phone appointments must also be scheduled no later than December 1 and all materials must be returned by December 15. The Road Home program requires applicants to complete an appointment with a program housing advisor. Homeowners who do not schedule this appointment by December 1 and complete it by December 15 will be considered ineligible to receive assistance from the program. Applicants who have yet to schedule their first appointments may do so by calling 1.888.762.3252. For more information about The Road Home, visit www.Road2La.org <http://www.Road2La.org> .

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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