Vol. 27: The Comeback Kid
Earlier this month, Greater New Orleans was chosen as the “Co-Major Market of the Year” by Southern Business & Development magazine. “New Orleans is undoubtedly the South’s comeback kid of the decade,” wrote the publication. What’s nice about this distinction is that it is not based just on opinion but on fact – our region added as many jobs over the last year as any other, excepting Charlotte, with whom we tied. And what’s especially nice about this distinction is that just three years ago a team from GNO, Inc. traveled to Charlotte to benchmark their economic development practice, known to be one of the best in the country. And now we share the podium.
And Louisiana as a whole, in significant part driven by Greater New Orleans, is also receiving remarkable job-driven accolades. Since 2006, Louisiana has added more jobs than 48 other states in the union. And since 2009, our state added more information technology jobs than anyone – leading the U.S. in tech growth (that’s raw numbers, not just percentages). All of this culminated with Louisiana being named “State of the Year” by Southern Business & Development for the third time in a row.
Of course, all of this means we now have to work that much harder to consolidate our gains. Our success is due to a special mixture of leadership, energy, and alignment, from the State Capitol down to the corner store – and it is certainly not guaranteed. As we did this legislative session, now is the time to double-down on economic development, to ensure that the Comeback Kid is here to stay.
Michael Hecht
President and CEO
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Economic Development News
Outstanding Economic Development Performances in One of the Best Years Ever in the South
Click here to learn more
Creative Cities’ Vitality Index
Click here to learn more
Louisiana ranks second nationally for job creation
Click here to learn more
Is The Information Industry Reviving Economies?
Click here to learn more
Louisiana earns No. 4 ranking in Value of Exports by State
Click here to learn more
Applications for the 3rd annual Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge are now open
Click here to learn more
Entrepreneur Spotlight: AdverCar.com bursts the ‘media-free bubble’
Click here to learn more
Lawmakers approve angel investor tax credit
Click here to learn more
GNO, Inc. NextGen Council member Beth Galante honored at White House as “Champion of Change” for her work at Global Green New Orleans
Click here to learn more
Around the Region
Announcements and Events
August 17-19, 2011
Louisiana Smart Growth Summit
Click here to learn more
August 24, 2011
Louisiana CEO Forum
Click here to learn more
Sept. 7-9, 2011
2011 SAME Lower Mississippi Valley Regional Conference
Click here to learn more
Sept. 28 – Oct. 5, 2011
GNO, Inc. Trade Mission to Brazil
Click here to learn more
New Investors and Funders (Since June 26, 2011)
Thank you to our new and increased investors.
Bellwether Technology
Chevron
Cleco Power
Coldwell Banker TEC
Leblanc Bulter, LLC
Pelican Energy Consultants
Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, LLC
