[StBernard] LRA Progress Report - December 14, 2007

[Westley Annis]

LRA Progress Report - December 14, 2007

In this issue:

*	Louisiana Citrus Industry On the Rebound in Plaquemine, Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary
*	More Than 8,000 Louisianians 'Give Thanks'
*	Boeing Co. Scheduled to Bring Space Work to New Orleans' NASA Michoud Assembly Center
*	Eight New Charter Schools approved for Orleans


Louisiana Citrus Industry On the Rebound in Plaquemine, Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary

LSU agricultural experts report that Louisiana's citrus industry is bouncing back from the storms of 2005 despite a decrease in producers and acreage. The main citrus-growing areas of the state are Plaquemines, Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary parishes. According to LSU AgCenter's Summary of Agriculture and Natural Resources for 2004, pre-Katrina and Rita, the state's citrus industry had a value of about $6.3 million - with $5 million of that coming from Plaquemines Parish. For more information on Louisiana's citrus industry visit the LSU AgCenter's Web site at: http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/crops/citrus/ <http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/crops/citrus/>  

More Than 8,000 Louisianians 'Give Thanks'

During the Thanksgiving holidays, thousands of Louisianians participated in the "Louisiana Gives Thanks" campaign, signing a letter to President Bush, members of Congress and the American people thanking them for making the state's recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita a national priority. This week letters are being delivered to the White House and Congressional offices in Washington. To read the "Louisiana Gives Thanks" letter that will be delivered this week and learn more about the campaign visit: www.lra.louisiana.gov/LouisianaGivesThanks <http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/LouisianaGivesThanks> . 

Boeing Co. Scheduled to Bring Space Work to New Orleans' NASA Michoud Assembly Center

Boeing Co. announced this week that it will use NASA's Michoud Assembly Center in New Orleans to produce an avionics system that will control the Ares I rocket, intended to send astronauts back to the moon. NASA awarded the $799.5 million contract to the New Orleans center to produce the system that will provide guidance, navigation and control for the rocket until it reaches orbit. The first test flight is expected to occur in 2014. To read the full story from the Associated Press visit: http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20071212/APF/712120895 <http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20071212/APF/712120895>  


Eight New Charter Schools approved for Orleans

This week the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved eight new public charter schools to open in New Orleans for the 2008-2009 school year. For a complete list of the schools that will be opening or to read the entire story from New Orleans City Business visit: http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=14297&userID=0&referer=dailyUpdate <http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=14297&userID=0&referer=dailyUpdate> 

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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