NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – In an effort to keep the Gulf Coast economy on the road to recovery, local, state, and government officials joined forces with community and economic development leaders to launch the Gulf Coast Economy: Ready 4 Takeoff Coalition today. Comprised of a broad cross-section of public, private, non-profit and academic leaders, the community-minded, action-driven alliance promotes the strength and diversity of the Gulf’s economic and cultural assets and advocates regional economic development initiatives that will revitalize the coastal states.
“Despite the recent economic hardships brought on by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ivan and the historic man-made oil spill that wreaked havoc on our coastal communities, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen, small business owners, and tourism industries, the people of the Gulf remain resilient and stand ready to unite behind innovative economic development initiatives that will pave the way for a stronger Gulf Coast economy in the 21st century,” said Charles Wood, senior vice president of economic development with the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “There is no question the Gulf Coast economy is ready for takeoff, primed and poised to emerge as the nation’s next “mega” economic region and our Coalition is committed to supporting job-igniting projects that will help lead our region out of recessionary times.”
Over the last decade, the Gulf Coast has faced unprecedented economic challenges, ranging from Hurricane Katrina, to a weakened national economic climate, to the epic BP oil spill that struck the Gulf Coast in late April, spewing an estimated 4.9 million barrels into its waterways. Recognizing the skilled workforce of the region and its pro-business environment, local stakeholders, however, united to create the Gulf Coast Economy: Ready 4 Takeoff Coalition to advocate the advancement of pro-growth initiatives that will expand local economies and help create and retain good paying jobs.
“As our fishing communities, local businesses, and tourist attractions continue to combat these extraordinary economic challenges, it only makes sense for us to capitalize on our thriving industries and act to bolster our region’s other job-generating sectors,” said Louisiana Lieutenant Governor, Scott Angelle.
The Gulf Coast Economy: Ready 4 Takeoff Coalition has called on the federal government to invest in the Gulf Coast and strengthen non-traditional, private and public sector opportunities, has supported a number of economic development initiatives including: encouraging the federal government to leverage its purchasing power to ensure a robust market for the Gulf Coast seafood industry and advocating efforts to secure a $40 billion federal government contract for the construction of the KC-45 Real Tanker in Mobile, Alabama, among others.
“Ready 4 Takeoff understands new, innovative economic development projects will serve as the cornerstone to rebuilding the Gulf Coast economy,” said Sam Jones, Mayor of Mobile. “Whether it’s fighting to help guarantee a strong and healthy Gulf Coast seafood industry, supporting efforts for the construction of the KC-45 Real Tanker in Mobile, or helping to secure federal grant money to help jump-start high speed rail projects in the region, this dynamic and diverse coalition will help lay the groundwork for a strong and prosperous economic future in the Gulf.”
Close coordination between local, state and federal officials is critical to maintaining the health of the Gulf Coast economy and will be a primary focus of the coalition. While it’s recognized that this is going to be an ongoing process, today’s official launch is another step towards reinforcing our region’s commitment to creating a stronger economy in the Gulf. The Ready 4 Takeoff Coalition hopes that by working together we can win this battle and build a better tomorrow for families, workers, and entrepreneurs in the Gulf.
Participants in today’s press conference included, U. S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La); U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.); Mayor Sam Jones, Mayor of Mobile, Alabama; Charles Wood, Senior Vice President, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce; Michael Hecht, President and CEO, Greater New Orleans, Inc.; Ewell Smith, Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board; Donna Fraiche, Original appointee to the Louisiana Recovery Authority; Past chair of Long Term Community Planning Task; Dave Trent, Chairman, Mobile Chamber of Commerce; Janet Sacks Contract and Economic Development Director, Hancock County Development Commission, as well as additional local community stakeholders from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. To view a complete list of coalition members visit: www.ready4takeoff.org.
“Despite the recent economic hardships brought on by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ivan and the historic man-made oil spill that wreaked havoc on our coastal communities, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen, small business owners, and tourism industries, the people of the Gulf remain resilient and stand ready to unite behind innovative economic development initiatives that will pave the way for a stronger Gulf Coast economy in the 21st century,” said Charles Wood, senior vice president of economic development with the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. “There is no question the Gulf Coast economy is ready for takeoff, primed and poised to emerge as the nation’s next “mega” economic region and our Coalition is committed to supporting job-igniting projects that will help lead our region out of recessionary times.”
Over the last decade, the Gulf Coast has faced unprecedented economic challenges, ranging from Hurricane Katrina, to a weakened national economic climate, to the epic BP oil spill that struck the Gulf Coast in late April, spewing an estimated 4.9 million barrels into its waterways. Recognizing the skilled workforce of the region and its pro-business environment, local stakeholders, however, united to create the Gulf Coast Economy: Ready 4 Takeoff Coalition to advocate the advancement of pro-growth initiatives that will expand local economies and help create and retain good paying jobs.
“As our fishing communities, local businesses, and tourist attractions continue to combat these extraordinary economic challenges, it only makes sense for us to capitalize on our thriving industries and act to bolster our region’s other job-generating sectors,” said Louisiana Lieutenant Governor, Scott Angelle.
The Gulf Coast Economy: Ready 4 Takeoff Coalition has called on the federal government to invest in the Gulf Coast and strengthen non-traditional, private and public sector opportunities, has supported a number of economic development initiatives including: encouraging the federal government to leverage its purchasing power to ensure a robust market for the Gulf Coast seafood industry and advocating efforts to secure a $40 billion federal government contract for the construction of the KC-45 Real Tanker in Mobile, Alabama, among others.
“Ready 4 Takeoff understands new, innovative economic development projects will serve as the cornerstone to rebuilding the Gulf Coast economy,” said Sam Jones, Mayor of Mobile. “Whether it’s fighting to help guarantee a strong and healthy Gulf Coast seafood industry, supporting efforts for the construction of the KC-45 Real Tanker in Mobile, or helping to secure federal grant money to help jump-start high speed rail projects in the region, this dynamic and diverse coalition will help lay the groundwork for a strong and prosperous economic future in the Gulf.”
Close coordination between local, state and federal officials is critical to maintaining the health of the Gulf Coast economy and will be a primary focus of the coalition. While it’s recognized that this is going to be an ongoing process, today’s official launch is another step towards reinforcing our region’s commitment to creating a stronger economy in the Gulf. The Ready 4 Takeoff Coalition hopes that by working together we can win this battle and build a better tomorrow for families, workers, and entrepreneurs in the Gulf.
Participants in today’s press conference included, U. S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La); U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.); Mayor Sam Jones, Mayor of Mobile, Alabama; Charles Wood, Senior Vice President, Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce; Michael Hecht, President and CEO, Greater New Orleans, Inc.; Ewell Smith, Louisiana Seafood Promotion Board; Donna Fraiche, Original appointee to the Louisiana Recovery Authority; Past chair of Long Term Community Planning Task; Dave Trent, Chairman, Mobile Chamber of Commerce; Janet Sacks Contract and Economic Development Director, Hancock County Development Commission, as well as additional local community stakeholders from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. To view a complete list of coalition members visit: www.ready4takeoff.org.