[StBernard] Rebuilding New Orleans: A Synopsis - March 2008 Update

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Wed Mar 5 21:45:39 EST 2008

Updated March 4, 2008

The following linked articles and reports provide a summary of recent
activities in the New Orleans and Louisiana economy and the outlook in a
number of key sectors compiled by the WTC's 1st Stop for International
Business Services.

Also, the WTC regularly updates its Directory of Louisiana Construction
Projects, now listing over 280 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 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 categories

STATE GOVERNANCE

Highlights of Gov. Bobby Jindal's call for a second special session
<http://www.businessreport.com/news/2008/mar/04/highlights-gov-bobby-jindals
-call-second-special-s/> (3/4/08) BusinessReport.com

Governor Bobby Jindal's budget, economic plan on right track
<http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Governor_Bobby_Jindals_Bud
get_Economic_Plan_On_Right_Track___5931.asp?%20> (3/3/08) Bayou Buzz

A change in image
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/120452528455690.xml&co
ll=1> (3/3/08) Times-Picayune

Jindal signs his first bills into law
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15999> (3/3/08)
CityBusiness

Jindal's budget plan stays the course
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/120435309153690.xml&co
ll=1> (3/1/08) Times-Picayune

Recent ethics legislation helps Louisiana's ranking
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/120426660486950.xml&co
ll=1> (2/29/08) Times-Picayune

Louisiana Governor pierces business as usual
<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/us/28jindal.html?_r=1&sq=louisiana%20refo
rm&st=nyt&oref=slogin&scp=1&pagewanted=print> (2/28/08) New York Times

A triumph for reform
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/1204181333271800.xml&c
oll=1> (2/28/08) Times-Picayune

Watchdogs applaud ethics progress
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15872> (2/26/08)
CityBusiness

RECOVERY PLANNING

Powell ready to leave Gulf Coast
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/120435330053690.xml&co
ll=1> (3/1/08) Times-Picayune

City sets goal of 500 vacant sites a month
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-27/120461284121610.xml&c
oll=1> (3/4/08) Times-Picayune

Pace of work picks up in N.O. recovery
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/120426669586950.xml&co
ll=1> (2/29/08) Times-Picayune

Details of new blight program revealed
<http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1204180988271800.xml&co
ll=1> (2/28/08) Times Picayune

N.O. set to unveil site for rebuilding projects
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15944> (2/28/2008)
CityBusiness

City's Project Development Unit gears up for $100M in projects
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15807> (2/23/08)
CityBusiness

N.O. City Hall creates pool of 50 firms for recovery work
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15744> (2/20/08)
CityBusiness

N.O. prisons to be rebuilt with $52.3M from FEMA
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15678> (2/18/08)
CityBusiness

$650,000 to help open fire stations
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-27/120314294664270.xml&c
oll=1> (2/16/08) Times-Picayune

HOUSING & REAL ESTATE

LRA takes over 'Louisiana Cottage' housing program
<http://blog.nola.com/news_impact/2008/02/lra_takes_over_louisiana_cotta/pri
nt.html> (2/29/08) Times-Picayune

Nagin: FEMA trailer plan would cause 'second great displacement'
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15889> (2/27/08)
CityBusiness

Road Home pays more than $6B on more than 100,000 claims
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15876> (2/27/08)
CityBusiness

Barnes & Noble chairman plans to build houses for storm victims
<http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/02/barnes_noble_chairman_plans_to.h
tml> (2/26/08) Times-Picayune

Spreading sunshine
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/120383466359360.xml&c
oll=1> (2/24/08) Times-Picayune

Road Home restarts home elevation grants
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15822> (2/23/08)
CityBusiness

$2.4 million in grants awarded for N.O. housing
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-26/1202974213302710.xml&
coll=1> (2/14/08) Times-Picayune

N.O. builders hammering out surplus of new homes
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15980> (3/3/08)
CityBusiness

HURRICANE PROTECTION, FLOOD CONTROL, & COASTAL RESTORATION

Spillway diversions
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/120452522055690.xml&c
oll=1> (3/3/08) Times-Picayune

Corps levee projects on the hot seat
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/120426665886950.xml&co
ll=1> (2/29/08) Times-Picayune

Treading lightly
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/1204181064271800.xml&
coll=1> (2/28/08) The Times Picayune

Residents told to push for levees
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/1203661267246190.xml&c
oll=1> (2/22/08) Times-Picayune

Sticking it to Louisiana
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/1203315630106280.xml&c
oll=1> (2/18/08) Times-Picayune

Corps releases levee height needs
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/1203056512275780.xml&
coll=1> (2/15/08) Times-Picayune

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Michoud to benefit from $45M NASA contract extension
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15983> (3/3/08)
CityBusiness

N.O. council looking for input
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1204181014271800.xml&
coll=1> (2/28/08) Times-Picayune

Tax break on horizon for some business construction projects
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15827> (2/25/08)
CityBusiness

NY developer, city to discuss plans for Gentilly mall
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15750> (2/20/08)
CityBusiness

Hornets economic impact pegged at $164.4M by UNO
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15700> (2/20/08)
CityBusiness

GNO Inc. teams with universities to build new center
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15647> (2/15/08)
CityBusiness

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

Ports act to improve security
<http://www.nola.com/timespic/stories/index.ssf?/base/money-3/12046116732849
20.xml&coll=1> (3/4/08) Times Picayune

Senators seek revision of Cuban trade policy
<http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803020309>
(3/3/08) The News Star

$200M in GO Zone bonds could build rental car facility at N.O. airport
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15882> (2/27/08)
CityBusiness

Post-Castro Cuba, $100 oil pose boons to Louisiana
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15847> (2/25/08)
CityBusiness

Hello Cuba: Fidel's farewell could mean business for Bayou state
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15833> (2/25/08)
CityBusiness

Local Exports Booming
<http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080224/BUSINESS/8
02240334/1046&template=printart> (2/24/08) The Daily Advertiser

Port ready to set sale
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/120383418313170.xml&c
oll=1> (2/24/08) Times Picayune

Port of N.O.: Agreement could spur commerce between N.O. and St. Louis
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15810> (2/23/08)
CityBusiness

More cargo on way, official says
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1203747750292560.xml&
coll=1> (2/23/08) Times Picayune

Louisiana's exports set a record in 2007
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1203349813312330.xml&
coll=1> (2/17/2008) Times-Picayune

State may have to pay for costly river dredging
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/1202972444207710.xml&
coll=1> (2/14/08) Times-Picayune

N.O. Port pushes for $250M in state money for container terminal upgrade
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15603> (2/14/08)
CityBusiness

U.S. trade deficit declines after five record-setting years
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15615> (2/14/08)
CityBusiness

TOURISM

Tourism glitz blitz ends in N.O.
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1204007487286340.xml&
coll=1> (2/26/08) Times Picayune

NBA All-Stars sink $20M into N.O. recovery
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=1001&dbName=LeadStory

> (2/25/08) CityBusiness


Hyatt Regency expansion is proposed
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-3/1203519007244610.xml&
coll=1> (2/20/08) Times-Picayune

FQ Fest gains sponsors, names new executive director
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15703> (2/19/08)
CityBusiness

Safe and successful All-Star weekend broadcast around the world is a
Slam-dunk for New Orleans
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/120340200545380.xml&c
oll=1&thispage=3> (2/19/08) Times-Picayune

Selling Success
<http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-36/120340203945380.xm
l&coll=1> (2/19/08) Times-Picayune

City Officials: NBA All-Star weekend helped prove N.O. is back
<http://www.nola.com/nbaallstar/index.ssf/2008/02/city_officials_string_of_m
ajor.html> (2/18/08) Times-Picayune

No debate about it: New Orleans shows mettle in handling major events
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15680> (2/18/08)
CityBusiness

Sea lions back home at the Audubon Zoo
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/1202970725129400.xml&c
oll=1> (2/14/08) Times-Picayune

Glitter Ball
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/money-1/1202972434207710.xml&
coll=1> (2/14/08) Times-Picayune

Big game lures stars, corporate spenders
<http://www.nola.com/breaking_sports/index.ssf/2008/02/big_game_lures_stars_
corporate.html> (2/14/08) Times-Picayune

ENERGY, AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, FISHING

Chevron donating millions to LSU
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/120426616250320.xml&co
ll=1> (2/29/08) Times-Picayune

Gulf dead zone plan stagnates
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/1204180301219420.xml&
coll=1> (2/28/08) Times Picayune

1st step left for sugar refinery bonds
<http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1204181230271800.xml&co
ll=1> (2/28/08) Times Picayune

A fresh perspective
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-4/1204093328207510.xml&c
oll=1> (2/27/08) Times-Picayune

Superior Energy sells division for $165 million
<http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/businesstoday/tuesday/15984622.ht
ml#4> (2/26/2008) Business Today

Cheniere to explore LNG options
<http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/businesstoday/tuesday/15984622.ht
ml#4> (2/26/2008) Business Today

Mesa Energy acquires Poydras of New Orleans
<http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/business/businesstoday/tuesday/15984622.ht
ml#4> (2/26/2008) Business Today

Petrochemical Services enters joint venture with Spanish company
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15735> (2/20/08)
CityBusiness

Minority contractors to open technology center
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15823> (2/23/08)
CityBusiness

Slow crawfish season is picking up
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15610> (2/14/08)
CityBusiness

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Jefferson moves to start new charter schools
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/120426602850320.xml&co
ll=1> (2/29/08) Times-Picayune

Clausen named state education chief
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/120426607350320.xml&co
ll=1> (2/29/08) Times-Picayune

N.O. construction training center eases labor pains
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15903> (2/27/08)
CityBusiness

FEMA resource details school spending
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1204007622286340.xml&c
oll=1> (2/26/08) Times Picayune

Magnet plan alive without grant
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/1204007558286340.xml&
coll=1> (2/26/08) Times Picayune

Powell to unveil government transparency initiative for N.O. schools
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15806> (2/25/08)
CityBusiness

Holy Cross School construction kicks off with pile driving
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15699> (2/19/2008)
CityBusiness

RSD provides best hope for N.O. schools
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15664> (2/18/08)
CityBusiness

18 schools listed for replacement
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-5/1202972460207710.xml&c
oll=1> (2/14/08) Times-Picayune

<http://www.wtcno.org/1ststop/arrow.gif> Flow chart of New Orleans public
schools <http://blog.nola.com/graphics/B08SchoolGuide2.pdf>

HEALTHCARE

Ochsner Baptist opens urology clinic
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=16002> (3/3/08)
CityBusiness

Louisiana gets OK to expand children's health insurance program
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15914> (2/27/08)
CityBusiness

La. funding health information technology
<http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&expire=&urlID=26834
780&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.2theadvocat> (2/27/08) The Advocate

Land in limbo
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/120383407213170.xml&c
oll=1> (2/24/08) Times-Picayune

Bush Medicare cuts would 'severely affect' Louisiana elderly
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15649> (2/15/08)
CityBusiness

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC INDICATORS & TRENDS

Still Coming
<http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-10/120435339353690.xml&c
oll=1> (3/1/08) Times-Picayune

Report puts N.O. population above 300,000
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15943> (2/28/2008)
CityBusiness

Transit transition: RTA overhauls bus fleet with biodiesel units
<http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/print.cfm?recid=15879> (2/27/08)
CityBusiness

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>


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