Despite the challenges that come with living and working in any urban environment and those which are exacerbated by a poor national economy, good things are happening in New Orleans which bear mentioning and promoting far and wide.
The next time you’re asked what the good news is in the Crescent City, try a few of these out on your out-of-town friends. Here’s a first installment with other signs of progess to follow in the next blog. (Special thanks to my business partner Virginia Miller, for bringing this impressive list to my attention).
SCHOOLS: New Orleans is taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revamp the nation’s second worst school system. The community has come together across many demographic lines to support a whole new approach, and one that is likely to serve as a catalyst other places as well. The crux of this approach is charter schools, but charters that feature open enrollment, so every parent can choose the right school for their child. The bar is high for achievement and success. New Schools for New Orleans is the fulcrum contact for this phenomenon.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The Horizon Initiative has led a successful effort to implement a new economic model for New Orleans. This model, a Public Private Partnership that has the unanimous backing of the City Council, follows the best practices of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and puts City Hall in partnership with New Orleans’ business community. This advance not only ensures a 40 year plan for economic development (rather than the 4 year plans offered by each new mayor) but brings the business community together across demographic lines: Horizon created a coalition of the Chamber, the Black Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber, the Asian Chamber, the Business Council and the Board of Trade to get this done. New Orleans now joins Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Charlotte, Miami and many other cities in implementing this successful model.
-New Orleans has just successfully won its proposal for the 2013 Superbowl, and the financial impact is anticipated to be close to $300,000,000.
-Mardi Gras is a great example of an event that bridges the gap between New Orleans culture and economic development, bringing out local devotees and national and international visitors to commune together in one of America’s oldest local traditions. (Happy to elaborate here)
HOUSING: New building methods and a focus on all areas of the City have been a good thing on the past 5 years. New Orleans will have some of the largest Green (LEEDS Platinum) neighborhoods in the country and is definitely on the leading edge in terms of green building and water management techniques.
Good things really are happening in New Orleans…feel free to add some of your own and to share the good news with anyone who will listen.
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