Vol. 5, November 12, 2008 In this issue: Economic Development News | Around the Region The Selectors Have Spoken Last week GNO, Inc. welcomed a group of influential consultants called "site selectors" from around the country for a three-day tour of our region. Site selectors tell companies where they should locate and expand, and so they are, in marketing speak, "key influencers." The reason for our tour was twofold: we wanted to introduce this important group to the assets and business leaders of Greater New Orleans; also, we wanted to hear what they thought about our region as a place for business. The time began with a guided helicopter tour of our ten parishes, from the mouth of the Mississippi in Plaquemines, to the industrial sites of the River Parishes, over to the large development tracts on the Northshore. From there we went on to site visits, business executive roundtables, and social events with parish leadership. And, of course, we ate lots of great food. On our final night, over cornbread and beer at Jacques-Imos, I asked the selectors for their honest feedback. What I heard was very encouraging: They were surprised and impressed by the diversity of our industry They were also impressed by the broad involvement of our business leadership They appreciated our honesty about our challenges, and how we are facing them They thought that the Greater New Orleans region is chock full of opportunities for the right companies They encouraged us to stop talking about Katrina, and to start focusing on our unique competitive advantages, like unparalleled intermodal connectivity One consultant from Texas summed it up: "I had no earthly idea about how much you have going on here." As the site selectors left, they said they'd be back, and that they'd tell their friends. We look forward to welcoming them, too. Economic Development News GNO, Inc. wooing window maker Full story... A hopeful future for new media in Greater New Orleans Full story... World Cultural Economic Forum stresses creative economy Full story... Gulf Coast shipbuilders think creatively to meet labor shortages Full story... BusinessWeek magazine names New Orleans among best cities to ride out recession Full story... Louisiana jumps to No. 5 on government ethics listing Full story... Louisiana one of six states to get positive comments from Moody's Full story... Jindal pushes for better business climate Full story... Small businesses try to break into NASA subcontractor fold Full story... Covington Company tops Inc 5000 list Full story... Back to Top Around the Region Announcements and Events GNO, Inc. Press Conference: Regional Workforce Study November 13 Full story... International Mixer November 13 Full story... New Orleans-based Receivables Exchange opens for trades November 17 Full story... 11th Annual GNO Joint Energy Industry Association Luncheon November 18 Full story... 5th Annual Technology eWARDS Banquet November 20 Full story... Blueprint Louisiana Meetings November 10-20 Full story... JEDCO announces strategies to improve parish’s healthcare Full story... St. Tammany EDF releases 10 year economic summary Full story... Do you have news or events that you would like to share in our upcoming editions? Let us know... Back to Top Jefferson Orleans Plaquemines St. Bernard St. Charles St. James St. John the Baptist St. Tammany Tangipahoa Washington 365 Canal Street, Suite 2300, New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 504.527.6900 Fax: 504.527.6970 www.gnoinc.org If you would like to start receiving our Region Report emails, click here To unsubscribe, click here