New Orleans
Top business leaders to participate in Louisiana CEO Forum
Some of Louisiana's top business leaders will participate in the Louisiana CEO Forum, hosted by 10/12 magazine on Aug. 24 in New Orleans. Participants include CEO’s from Greater New Orleans Inc., Ochsner Health Systems; Transoceanic Trading and Development; Cox Louisiana; and Turbosquid. Full article.
Superdome’s 6-year transformation nearly complete
SMG vice president Doug Thornton, whose company runs the state-owned stadium, says a $336 million, multiphase transformation during six years since Hurricane Katrina has the dome ready to host and bid for major national events. The dome is scheduled to host the next BCS national championship and NCAA men’s basketball Final Four, along with the Super Bowl in 2013. Full article.
Shaw-built storm protection barrier nearly complete
A massive surge barrier designed and built by The Shaw Group to shield New Orleans from devastating storms reached its milestone of providing 100-year storm protection to the region. The Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Surge Barrier, which is 26 feet high and two miles long, is nearly complete, just in time for the 2011 hurricane season. Full article.
Bigger plans for World War II Museum
The new Restoration Pavilion opened Memorial Day weekend at the National World War II Museum, and organizers are preparing for future stages of a $300 million expansion project. Bob Farnsworth, the museum's senior vice president for capital programs” "We are building one of the great, great museums of the world." Full article.
Workforce deficiency feared
New Orleans consistently bested the nation in terms of job creation and unemployment levels in recent years, and local business leaders say they are beginning to worry that there is a growing incongruity in the types of jobs available and the people looking for work, and predict a challenge with middle-management positions. Full article.
Saints coach “Business as usual”
Parts of the normal NFL offseason have been put on hold by the lockout, but New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said it’s still “business as usual” on Airline Drive. The Saints are preparing for next month’s draft, the start of free agency, whenever that is, and ultimately the 2011 season. Assuming, of course, that there is one. Full article.
Event for start-ups creates buzz in N.O.
This week billionaire financier Jim Coulter and representatives from venture capital and private equity firms will be in New Orleans for the third annual New Orleans Entrepreneur Week. The event will be hosted by the Idea Village, a New Orleans-based nonprofit group focused on harboring and advancing local entrepreneurial endeavors. Full article.
Next 5 years crucial for New Orleans
Richard Karlgaard, the publisher of Forbes magazine, recently stated that “…New Orleans has a five-year window to act on a ‘once in a century’ opportunity to build itself as a business magnet…The next five years is the most important for the whole city and the surrounding area…" Full article.
The New Orleans Miracle
Having endured massive flood and wind damage from hurricanes, then been blindsided by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the entire region of Southern LA received about a century’s worth of misery. And, at the center of it all are the City of New Orleans and the surrounding 10-parish Greater New Orleans region. “Recovery and rebuilding are one and the same,” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said in an interview in his office at City Hall. “With the 100-year flood protection efforts made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the city is in pretty good shape from an infrastructure standpoint.” Full article.
Will New Orleans become an island in 2100?
A recent America's Wetland Foundation report indicated that, in the next 90 years, New Orleans will be an island, and Baton Rouge will be susceptible to storm surges. According to the report, in the year 2100, New Orleans will be an island as parts of the Mississippi River sit between two slivers of land. Slowing down the land loss will take enormous amounts of money and political will. Full article.
