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

[Westley Annis]

Updated November 1, 2007

Two-plus years after the devastating effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,
considerableprogress 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.  

Also, the  World Trade Center recently launched a new Directory of Louisiana
Construction Projects, listing over 250 projects of all types that are in
the planning or development stage (housing, industrial, commercial, port
facilities, schools, hospitals, churches, and more) totaling over $40
billion of dollars of prospective investments (click here)
<http://www.wtcno.org/databases/projects/index.htm> . This Directory can be
useful to potential national and international investors, joint venture
partners, financial institutions, suppliers of building materials,
contractors, engineering firms, and other providers of goods, services,
technology, and capital seeking business opportunities in Louisiana.

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 33 economic,
business, and other related categories.

RECENT ELECTION RESULTS

Louisiana state-wide election results
<http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcms2&rqsdta=102007>
Louisiana Secretary of State 

Op. Ed. column by Governor- Elect Bobby Jindal
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-0/1193895599153210.xml&c
oll=1>  (11/01/07) New Orleans Times-Picayune

Jindal picks two top Louisiana officials for advisory council positions
<http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Government/Bobby_Jindal_Picks_Two_T
op_Louisiana_Officials_For_Advisory_Council_Positions__5045.asp> (10/31/07)
Bayou Buzz

Jindal, Blanco team up for recovery
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-0/1193465403148910.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/27/07) Times-Picayune

Jindal picks transition chief
<http://www.lanewslink.com/print.php?article=2569>  (10/23/07)
Times-Picayune

With campaign over Jindal calls for unity
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1193033939248640.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/22/07) Times-Picayune

Orleans Parish election results
<http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov:8090/cgibin/?rqstyp=elcpr&rqsdta=10200736>
Times-Picayune

RECOVERY PLANNING

Press Release: Mayor's Budget for 2008
<http://wtcno.org/1ststop/pdf/Mayors_Budget.pdf>  (11/01/07)

N.O. sells bonds for recovery work
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13624>  (10/31/07)
CityBusiness

Blakely: NOPD could be in permanent buildings in months
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13585>  (10/30/07)
CityBusiness

Group plans community center to aid in Ninth Ward recovery
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13510>  (10/25/07)
CityBusiness

Renaissance Town Center buildings to begin opening in 2008
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13484>  (10/24/07)
CityBusiness

Recovery plans number in hundreds funded by millions
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13459>  (10/23/07)
CityBusiness

Sculptures to accent Veterans beautification project
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13408>  (10/18/07)
CityBusiness

N.O. unveils scaled-down first-stage rebuilding plan
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13285>  (10/11/07)
New Orleans CityBusiness

Veterans Boulevard getting a make over
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/119208625820300.xml&co
ll=1>  (10/11/07) Times-Picayune

St. Tammany asks LRA to fund long-term recovery plan
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13267>  (10/11/07)
CityBusiness

 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Unified New Orleans Plan
<http://unifiedneworleansplan.com/home3/> 
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> 17 Targeted Recovery Zones
<http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?tabid=95> 

Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan
<http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/static.html?id=161> 

Blueprint Louisiana Agenda <http://www.blueprintlouisiana.org/agenda.cfm> 

HOUSING & REAL ESTATE

Bill eliminates FEMA penalty in rebuilding
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-2/1193723472112420.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/31/07) Times-Picayune

Aid for condos, mobile homes lags
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1193723520112420.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/30/07) Times-Picayune

State OKs first 75 'Katrina cottages'
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1193723717112420.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/30/07) Times-Picayune

Tax credit fuels post-K development
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13584>   (10/30/07)
CityBusiness

N.O. home builders association testing 'green' building program
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13542>  (10/26/07)
CityBusiness

Road Home grants paid to 33 percent of applicants
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13503>  (10/25/07)
CityBusiness

Report: N.O. area rents may be stabilizing after Katrina
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13488>  (10/24/07)
CityBusiness

Fund to encourage renovation mortgages in N.O.
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13460>  (10/23/07)
CityBusiness

New Orleans property taxes set to fall in 2008
<http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/10/no_property_tax_rates_set_to_f.
html>  (10/18/07) Times-Picayune

HANO will pursue rebuilding grants
<http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1192691845377
20.xml&coll=1>  (10/18/07) Times-Picayune

HUD grants $18.7M in grant equity
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13295>  (10/12/07)
CityBusiness

Road Home funds 60,357
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13247>  (10/10/07)
CityBusiness

Road Home reminds of December 1st  appointment deadline
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13202>  (10/8/07)
CityBusiness

AEG: construction costs expected to climb in 2008
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13207>  (10/8/07)
CityBusiness

FEMA changes elevation policy
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/119173844334850.xml&co
ll=1>  (10/7/07) Times-Picayune

Road Home award has role in home sales
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/119173859034850.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/7/07) Times-Picayune

HURRICANE PROTECTION, FLOOD CONTROL, & COASTAL RESTORATION

2 tapped for Jindal recovery panel
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/1193896509236350.xml&c
oll=1>  (11/01/07) Times-Picayune

East bank river levees to be raised
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-25/1193636371313190.xml&
coll=1>  (10/29/07) Times-Picayune

Sediment pipelines to rebuild marsh in New Orleans area
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13548>  (10/26/07)
CityBusiness

U.S. Senate OKs spending for Louisiana projects
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13391>  (10/18/07)
CityBusiness

Harnessing the river
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1192344891282860.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/14/07) Times-Picayune

Hands-on oversight for levees proposed
<http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpage/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1192171996268
980.xml&coll=1>  (10/11/07) Times-Picayune

Third review of N.O. may be ahead
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13209>  (10/8/07)
CityBusiness

100- year risk maps
<http://blog.nola.com/graphics/2007/08/100year_risk_maps_released_by.html>
(8/21/07) Army Corps of Engineers

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Power Point presentation by LED Secretary Michael Olivier on October 22,
2007 at World Trade Centers Association General Assembly in New Orleans
<http://wtcno.org/1ststop/pdf/WTCA-LED[1].pdf> 

Road, energy projects top $41B construction roll call
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13658>  (11/01/07)
CityBusiness

Nagin: N.O. economy right on track
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13600>  (10/30/07)
CityBusiness

Louisiana Economic Development earns SEDC literature and promotion award for
best marketing campaign
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/press-archive/2007/october-2007/20071031-led-ea
rns-sedc-award-for-marketing-campaign.aspx>  (10/30/07) LED

N.O. area to receive majority of $633M OK'd by Bond Commission
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13595>  (10/30/07)
CityBusiness

SBA doles out $22.6 B in 110,000 loans
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13471>  (10/24/07)
CityBusiness

Oct. 31 deadline for recovery grants, loans
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13486>  (10/24/07)
CityBusiness

Gov. Blanco touts N.O. recovery progress at WTC
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13454>  (10/22/07)
CityBusiness

Blanco to sign Broadway South bill into law
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13450>  (10/22/07)
CityBusiness

Louisiana Economic Outlook Released
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/uploads/pdf/2008-2009_Louisiana_Economic_Outloo
k.pdf>  (10/18/07) LED

$4M to boost Louisiana's first unionized housing manufacturing plant
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13401>  (10/18/07)
CityBusiness

Oakwood center to reopen Friday
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1192690900231370.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/18/07) Times-Picayune

State looks to buy defunct N.O. Cent
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/119208610520300.xml&co
ll=1> re (10/11/07) Times-Picayune

Banks adapt to changes in regional market
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/119208608820300.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/11/07) Times-Picayune

Film Frenzy: Tax breaks keep movie action in Louisiana
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13234>  (10/9/07)
CityBusiness

LED helps digital companies build high tech workforce
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/businesswire-archive/2007/october-2007/20071008
-led-helps-digital-media-company-build-high-tech-workforce.aspx>  (10/07)
LED

LED and AME donate funds to create center for lean excellence in Louisiana
<http://www.lded.state.la.us/press-archive/2007/october-2007/20071003-led-an
d-ame-donate-funds-to-create-center-for-lean-excellence-in-louisiana.aspx>
(10/3/07) LED

A Report on the Impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Louisiana
Businesses
<http://www.bus.lsu.edu/centers/ded/PPRL%20report_2006Q2_FINAL.pdf>  (8/07)
LSU Division for Economic Development

The Louisiana Gulf Opportunity Zone Business Guide
<http://www.gozoneguide.com> 

 

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

 

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND TRANSPORTATION

River shipping faces interruptions
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1193897059236350.xml&
coll=1>  (11/01/07) Times-Picayune

Port still awaiting federal money
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1193810155241870.xml&
coll=1>  (10/31/07) Times-Picayune

Port of New Orleans key to U.S. economy, security
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13614>  (10/30/07)
CityBusiness

Port board OKs $1.9M in projects, repairs
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13535>  (10/26/07)
CityBusiness

World trade officials in town
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1193117468233080.xml&
coll=1>  (10/23/07) Times-Picayune

Airport to reach 80% of pre-Katrina flight in New Orleans
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13291>  (10/12/07)
CityBusiness

Australia opens new trade office in New Orleans
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1191334807150050.xml&
coll=1>  (10/2/07) Times-Picayune 

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

 

TOURISM & CONVENTIONS

League of cities conference draws more than 3,000 to N.O.
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13610>  (10/31/07)
CityBusiness

Travel Channel: Kern's haunted  hose number 2 scariest attraction
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13570>  (10/29/07)
CityBusiness

New Orleans ranks second in destinations among U.S. cities after New York
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13298>  (10/12/07)

 

Tourism rebound still has a way to go
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/119208609320300.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/11/07) Times-Picayune

Cruise industry is testing the waters in N.O.
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/119208613220300.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/11/07) Times-Picayune

Stronger airport ridership liftoff continues
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13241>  (10/9/07)
CityBusiness

New Orleans tourism officials: October brings 'healthy mix' of visitors
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13179>  (10/5/07)

New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Releases 2007 State of the City
Report
<http://www.neworleanscvb.com/articles/index.cfm/action/view/articleID/1313/
typeID/1>  (8/09/07) 

ENERGY, AGRICULTURE, FOOD, FORESTRY, FISHING

LSU AgCenter returning to New Orleans
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13648>  (11/01/07)
CityBusiness

Mc MoRan Exploration has successful test at Flatrock
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13449>  (10/22/07)
CityBusiness

Pipeline purge Entergy to replace 844 corroding gas conduits
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13404>  (10/18/07)

Louisiana oil and gas rig count unchanged
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13181>  (10/5/07)
CityBusiness

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

U.S labor department awards $10.5M to help Louisiana workers
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13638>  (11/01/07)
CityBusiness

Grant to help teachers buy homes offered
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1193810293241870.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/31/07) Times-Picayune

Louisiana unemployment increases 10 percent
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13529>  (10/25/07)
CityBusiness

Jeff schools seek accreditation
<http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/10/jeff_schools_seek_accreditatio.
html>  (10/25/07) Times-Picayune

UNO College of Education Awarded $7M in grants, contracts
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13467>  (10/24/07)
CityBusiness

Ground broken on Holy Cross School
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13475>  (10/23/07)
CityBusiness

City council approves school expansion
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-24/1193034029248640.xml&
coll=1>  (10/22/07) Times-Picayune

RSD spending blueprint detailed
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-7/119269182237720.xml&co
ll=1>  (10/18/07) Times-Picayune

Plans ready for five N.O. public schools to be rebuilt, renovated
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13399>  (10/18/07)
CityBusiness

$250M in school renovations make N.O. more competitive
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13301>  (10/12/07)
CityBusiness

LSU  N.O. dental school to add department
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13180>  (10/5/07)
CityBusiness

Orleans school designs unveiled
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1191391982129840.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/3/07) Times-Picayune

Vallas pledges higher test scores
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-2/1182838082320170.xml&c
oll=1>  (6/26/07)Times-Picayune 
 <http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Flow chart of New Orleans public
schools <http://blog.nola.com/graphics/B08SchoolGuide2.pdf> 

 

HEALTH CARE

Clinic to serve uninsured
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-25/1193635871313190.xml&
coll=1>  (10/29/07) Times-Picayune

City to buy new site for VA hospital and be given old one
<http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/10/city_to_buy_site_for_new_va_ho.
html>  (10/25/07) Times-Picayune

Children's Hospital adds $1.4M lab info system
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13452>  (10/22/07)
CityBusiness

Hospitals involved in healthy competition
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-24/1192430232117870.xml&
coll=1>  (10/15/07) Times-Picayune

Health industry gets back on its feet
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/119208506499710.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/11/07) Times-Picayune

LSU mental service loses grant
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1192170399153600.xml&c
oll=1>  (10/11/07) Times-Picayune

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC INDICATORS & TRENDS 

Estimate puts N.O. at 70 percent of pre-Katrina figures
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13474>  (10/24/07)
CityBusiness

Retail sales jump in September
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13296>  (10/12/07)
CityBusiness

Credit rating agency: Louisiana's financial position strong
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13249>  (10/10/07)
CityBusiness

St. Charles Avenue street cars tested
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-34/119133551793470.xml&s
torylist=topstories>  (10/2/07) Times-Picayune

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

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

TWO-YEAR RETROSPECTIVES

White House releases Katrina Anniversary Fact Sheet
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/print/20070829-1.html>
(8/29/07) White House

In Focus: Gulf Coast Rebuilding <http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/katrina/>
(8/29/07) White House

Transcript: President meets with home owners in New Orleans
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/20070829-7.html>  (8/29/07)
White House

Transcript: President discusses rebuilding in New Orleans
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/print/20070829-5.html>
(8/29/07) White House

Transcript: President meets with community leaders in New Orleans
<http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/08/print/20070828-6.html>
(8/28/07) White House

Governor Blanco delivers remarks
<http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=3168&
printer=1>   (8/29/07)

Blanco gives Bush  4 part recovery plan
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=12548>  (8/29/07) New
Orleans CityBusiness

Fitch ratings: N.O. still faces recovery challenges
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=13500>  (10/25/07)
CityBusiness

LA given less than its fair share, report says
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1190269257169640.xml&c
oll=1>  (9/20/07) Times-Picayune

Outsiders still lack clear New Orleans recovery picture
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=12782>  (9/13/07)
CityBusiness

New Orleans Index A Review of Key Indicators of Recovery Two Years After
Katrina <http://www.gnocdc.org/NOLAIndex/ESNOLAIndexAug07.pdf>  (8/31/07)
Brookings Institute/Greater New Orleans Community Data Center

Blueprint for Gulf Renewal
<http://www.southernstudies.org/BlueprintShort.pdf>  (8/31/07) Institute for
Southern Studies/ Southern Exposure

Progress and Pain
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1188194256220370.xml&c
oll=1>  (8/27/07) Times-Picayune

More Than Memories
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-9/1188024487183440.xml&c
oll=1>  (8/25/07) Times-Picayune

Power to the Neighborhoods: The Devolution of Authority in Post-Katrina New
Orleans
<http://www.mercatus.org/repository/docLib/200708281_power_to_the_neighborho
ods.pdf>  (8/07) Mercatus Center, George Mason University

Giving in the Aftermath of the Gulf Coast Hurricanes- Update on the
Foundation and Corporate Response
<http://foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/research/pdf/katrina_report_2007.
pdf>  (8/07) Foundation Center

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