Louisiana Jobs

According to the state department of Labor on Thursday, Louisiana added 59,600 non-farm jobs in 2006.   However, Louisiana still had 137,100 fewer non-farm jobs last month than it had at the end of 2004.  The New Orleans region incurred an increase of 38,600 over the year.

Crawfish

LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist Dr. Greg Lutz said that the crawfish season should be good this year with good production.

Shreveport Jobs

The Louisiana Department of Labor will award Incumbent Worker Training Program grants to upgrade the skills of more than 600 workers at three Shreveport-area companies.

New Orleans Crime

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, and Superintendent Warren Riley will hold a news conference on crime on Friday.  That issue has been a boiling point at various times during the year. 

Louisiana Regents Education

Commissioner of Higher Education Joseph Savoie told the Board of Regents that while Louisiana has made great strides in increasing the overall educational level of its citizens in recent years, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have driven down college enrollment significantly. Moreover, the state’s pipeline of high school graduates, which was already on the decline due to overall population attrition, has been further decimated by the 2005 storms. Savoie made the observations at the Regents’ meeting this week as part of a presentation detailing Louisiana’s outlook for producing more college graduates to spur the state’s economy.

            “Our supply of high school graduates has been steadily declining since about 2000,” Savoie said. “That decline was accelerated by the storms, and it looks like it will be several years before graduation numbers recover. We have to take measures to make college more accessible – and more affordable – to more of the high school graduates that we do produce.”

                Savoie said the state is working on a variety of fronts to accomplish this goal:

·        Aligning high school curriculum with college/workforce preparation

·        Focusing on dropout recovery/prevention at both the high school and college levels

·        Expanding dual enrollment opportunities for high school students to take college-credit courses

·        Expanding access to community colleges and technical colleges

·        Expanding adult learning/literacy

·        Developing a financial aid program for needy students

            Governor Blanco’s High School Redesign Commission has proposed strategies to address high school curriculum alignment, dropout prevention and dual enrollment. Savoie said research indicates that the most efficient way for a state to expand access to postsecondary education is to increase its investment in student financial aid. He said that while the details of the Board of Regents’ financial aid proposal have not yet been worked out, it will seek to provide educational opportunity for those who are most economically disadvantaged and will encourage a shared responsibility for the costs of college among the student, his/her family, the college or university and the state.

            As a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana has lost 35,000 college students. In addition, estimates are that there will be 3,000 fewer high school graduates next year, and more than 58,000 elementary and secondary school students displaced by the storms have not re-enrolled at any public school in Louisiana.

            “If Louisiana is to have a competitive economy in the near- and long-term future, we must get larger numbers of our remaining students into and successfully completing college,” Savoie said.

            In related business, the Board of Regents received a report on the accomplishments and status of the state’s LA GEAR UP (Louisiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) initiative. In 2002, Louisiana received a five-year, $12.5 million federal grant to create the multifaceted program, which is aimed at improving the college going and success rates of students in targeted underperforming school districts across the state. The grant was extended last year through 2008. Among the highlights enumerated in the report were the following:

•           The number of students benefiting from LA GEAR UP has increased from 2,500 in 2002-03 to 11,000 in             2006-07.

•          Under LA GEAR UP’s “Professional Development for Teachers” initiative, there have been more than 150             projects to improve teaching effectiveness in mathematics, science and language arts.

•           Under the “Rewards for Success” program, designed as a supplement award to partner with Louisiana’s             TOPS program and the federal Pell Grant, over 3,000 awards (in amounts of $250 to $1000), totaling more             than $1.5 million, have been presented to LA GEAR UP students in the form of Louisiana START college             savings accounts.

•           Student attendance at summer learning camps has increased from 473 in 2002 to an estimated 1,240 for the             2007 camps to be held across the state.

Mardi Gras Seats

The New Orleans Mayor's Office of Special Events today announced that free tickets are available to the public for special seating in Lafeyette Square during the first week of Mardi Gras, February 9 - 11, 2007.  Tickets are limited to four per person and available on a first come first serve basis. 

New Orleans Medical District

To fully capitalize upon one of the city’s greatest economic strengths, about 50 of the stakeholders of the New Orleans Medical District will visit one of the country’s leading emerging life sciences regional centers on January 29 and 30, 2007. University, business, economic development, and state and local political leaders will meet with their counterparts at St. Louis BioBelt (the region’s Plant and Medical Sciences industry cluster) and explore effective strategies and best practices of commercialization, innovation, capital attraction, district development and district governance/management to guide the development of the biosciences industry in the New Orleans area. 

            St. Louis BioBelt currently has nearly $1 billion of venture capital under management, almost 400 plant and life science enterprises with about 30 early-stage life science companies. It comprises companies and institutions engaged in the development and production of medicines, agricultural chemicals, organic chemical manufacturing, medical equipment manufacturing, and research and development. Key members include Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Pfizer, Monsanto Co. and a host of others.

            The visit will include a tour of the biotech corridor, known as CORTEX (Center of Research Technology and Entrepreneurial Expertise) and Center for Emerging Technologies. Panels scheduled include University Research, Innovations and Collaboration Strategies, St. Louis’s Regional Strategy and Partnerships, Cultivating Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Company Creation, Innovation and Venture Capital, Urban Biomedical District Physical Development Strategies, and a session on what biotech companies look for in R & D partnerships, locations, and facilities.

            The purpose of the visit is to learn about ways in which both public and private institutions can apply best practices in the areas of regional strategy formation, management/leadership, commercialization/innovation and niche industry identification in building the region’s biosciences industry. Attention will be paid to the challenges, as well as opportunities associated with these efforts.

            The trip was organized by the Regional Planning Commission in collaboration with the Downtown Development District (DDD), Greater New Orleans (GNO), Inc., and the New Orleans Medical Complex (LSU Health Sciences Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, University of New Orleans, Xavier University, Delgado Community College, Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, GNO, Inc., the DDD, the City of New Orleans, and the Louisiana Chamber of Commerce). In addition to the above organizations, members of the New Orleans Medical District Partnership include the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, the Louisiana Gene Therapy Consortium, the Louisiana Cancer Research Center, and the State of Louisiana. 

            “We selected St. Louis because elements of New Orleans are where St. Louis was 15-20 years ago,” noted Caitlin Cain, Economic Development Director at the Regional Planning Commission. “We were looking for a model that reflected some of the urban conditions present in New Orleans–disinvestment, blight perception, decreased population, etc.– but one that was an achievable model for us as we develop a cohesive strategy.”

            Funded by a grant from the Economic Development Administration, the Regional Planning Commission and the Medical District Partnership are working to develop and implement an economic recovery strategy for this sector. When complete, the blueprint will address the issues of niche identification, governance, management and commercialization capabilities and will also identify some potential marketing strategies to promote the biosciences and further commercialization success.

New Orleans Conventions

The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau is launching an aggressive, strategic marketing, public relations and direct sales campaign, designed to celebrate its authentic culture, lure domestic and international visitors back, preserve the city's leading industry (hospitality) and overcome misperceptions about New Orleans among consumers.

The campaign includes:

*          "Forever New Orleans" is an international branding campaign marking a major shift in New Orleans hospitality marketing. The Forever New Orleans campaign not only promotes more aspects of New Orleans culture, including the visual arts; it develops a deeper, richer understanding of our culture as unique and authentic, celebrating the very life of New Orleans.

*          A new series of advertisements to be used in outdoor and print campaigns. Using headlines such as "New Orleans is Open. To Just About Anything.", "Soul is Waterproof'", "Old World, New Promise"  and other phrases, the advertising campaign is designed to celebrate a spirit of swagger, showcasing the hospitality industry's confidence in New Orleans as a destination, and appealing to the meetings industry, travel trade professionals and the traveling public.

*          A 12-month outdoor campaign was introduced in 18 major markets across the country in mid-December celebrating these new messages. Forty-four billboards worth a value of $3 million were donated to New Orleans by CBS Outdoor, through the generosity of Brian Cuyler, general manager CBS Outdoor, New Orleans, and his colleagues throughout the U.S.

*          "A Whole New Orleans":  The CVB is underwriting the production of a 30-minute travel television show, "A Whole New Orleans," showcasing the eclectic nature and vibrant culture of what is still America's most authentic and historic destination. Its host and executive producer is Karen Carlson, an award-winning broadcast journalist, who has worked at top-rated television stations around the country, including in New Orleans and Los Angeles.

*          With a presence in cities such as New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Tokyo, London, Paris and Frankfurt, the CVB staff and representatives are strengthening its long-term relationships and direct sales efforts with influencers such as meeting professionals, corporate and association decision makers, and travel professionals worldwide.

*          Limited Edition Travel Posters: a series of posters will be created to celebrate "Forever New Orleans" and showcase the artwork of local and regional artists. It will be made available to travel agents worldwide. Proceeds will benefit artists in New Orleans.

*          The CVB also has engaged an international public relations firm to promote New Orleans as a top destination by showcasing New Orleans in major cities across the United States in a way that will highlight the city's history and culture. Further details, including the identity of the firm, will be unveiled in coming weeks.

Tourism is big business for New Orleans. As the economic engine of New Orleans, tourism accounts for 35 percent of the City of New Orleans' annual operating budget - $210 million paying for jobs, safety, transit, and infrastructure. Tourism also employs the largest segment of the population from across the region. 

Without the money engineered by New Orleans tourism, the state would have to raise an additional $3,000 on every family in Louisiana in taxes to cover the deficit. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans lost more than $2 billion in business from business and leisure travelers.

Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau made today's announcement along with leaders of the city and state's hospitality industry and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. The press conference was held at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, set against the backdrop of the French Quarter, showcasing the heart of the city's tourism corridor.

"We need to remind the world that New Orleans is a place where culture bubbles up from the street, where when you wake up and look around, you realize you are in a place that is truly unique and authentic, a place where your molecules get rearranged," said Perry. "Our marketing campaign is ultimately about New Orleans being a great place to live, work and visit. We must fill our hotels, have our restaurants brimming with diners, ensure that our galleries, shops and boutiques from the French Quarter to Magazine Street are filled with eager customers, our wonderful museums and attractions are busy with visitors, our artists creating and our musicians playing, and our festivals and special celebrations reporting record attendance," said Perry.

Perry acknowledged the continued leadership of Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu in spearheading the state's tourism efforts, particularly in the last 17 months.

"What the CVB is accomplishing in its marketing, sales and public relations efforts certainly compliments our message that encompasses all of Louisiana - that when you visit our great state, and specifically this great city - New Orleans - you've come to a place like no other, a place that is truly special" said Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. "The crucial step in the plan is getting that message to the world. This is why I am working diligently, with the support of the CVB and the other leaders of the state's hospitality industry, to impress upon the state and federal government the absolute importance of increasing federal funding to support the marketing efforts necessary to get the job done.  We continue to seek full funding of our $115 million request for tourism marketing."

Perry also reinforced that the CVB will continue to work with other prominent business organizations to rebuild an even stronger New Orleans, dissolve myths that continue to persist about the city's state of recovery and deliver credible messages that illustrate the vibrancy of the New Orleans experience today.

The first season of "A Whole New Orleans" will focus on the greater New Orleans area with episodes celebrating what's new, as well as showing how some of the older establishments and great traditions are evolving. Joining Karen Carlson are Dave Weber and Duane Prefume of Digital Bayou HD Productions, Louisiana's first high-definition production company and the creators of Emmy and Telly Award winning productions. To preview an episode, visit www.wholeneworleans.com.

The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (www.neworleanscvb.com) is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism, which generates $5 billion in visitor spending and creates 85,000 jobs. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city - including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street and Garden District - not only remains intact, both physically and spiritually, but is thriving. The New Orleans CVB is proudly welcoming visitors and business travelers every day.

Medical technology

According to Government Technology, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle announced today that his budget will include $30 million to increase the use of electronic medical record systems, reducing medical errors, improving safety and decreasing health care costs.  Reducing medical error was an issue discussed in the State of Union address by President Bush as well as “junk lawsuits”.