NEW ORLEANS — On Jan. 12, economic development nonprofit Greater New Orleans Inc. celebrated its 20th anniversary at its 2024 annual luncheon. Organizers said the event attracted a record-setting 1,500 business and civic leaders from across the region. There were remarks from outgoing Chairman Susan Bonnett Bourgeois, incoming Chairman Chris Kane and GNO Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht.
The speakers touted 2023 as a “comeback year” for the region, thanks to encouraging tourism numbers, a drop in violent crime, and coordinated efforts to fight skyrocketing flood and property insurance costs. 2023 business development “wins” mentioned by speakers include a $4.6 billion ammonia production and export facility in St. Charles Parish, a new studio from Seattle’s Big Fish Games and Shell’s plans to build a new office building in the River District neighborhood. Public policy accomplishments include insurance reform efforts, early childhood education investments, and “primacy” for the carbon capture projects in the state, which means the federal government has granted the state the power to implement the EPA’s rules on Class VI permit approvals.
To learn more, see GNO Inc’s Spider-Man-themed video: With a Great Region Comes Great Responsibility.
