" My priorities for the parish include improving the quality of life for all residents, balancing and creating a healthy budget, and putting coastal restoration at the forefront of St. Bernard’s future. "
St. Bernard Parish President, Guy McInnis, who delivered his first State of the Parish Address on April 20. McInnis was recently appointed by Governor Edwards to the Coastal Protection Restoration Authority (CPRA).
Top 10 Most Cost-Friendly, Mid-Sized Markets in the U.S.
1. Baton Rouge
2. New Orleans
3. Nashville
4. Omaha
5. Albuquerque
6. Memphis
7. Indianapolis
8. Oklahoma City
9. Salt Lake City
10. Raleigh
Source: KPMG, whose analysis measured 26 key cost components, including taxes, labor, facilities, transportation and utilities, as they apply to seven different business-to-business service sector operations and 12 different manufacturing sector operations.
Top 10 Cities for Most Efficient Public Spending
1. New Orleans
2. Miami
3. Philadelphia
4. Cleveland
5. Houston
6. Hialeah (FL)
7. Dallas
8. Charlotte
9. Pittsburgh
10. Phoenix
Source: Financial website Wallethub, which examined how some of America’s largest urban centers spend taxpayer dollars on categories including education, law enforcement and parks and recreation. New Orleans was ranked No. 1 for return-on-investment (ROI) for education and No. 9 for ROI on law enforcement.
Coming Soon
Monsanto has announced it will be expanding its manufacturing site in Luling, Louisiana, with a $975 million capital investment over the next three years. Completion of the expansion is anticipated for 2019 and is expected to create 95 new direct jobs with annual salaries averaging $76,500 plus benefits, along with 20 new contactor positions.
Construction on the project is estimated to create 1,000 jobs at its peak.
Entrepreneur Frank Scurlock has presented plans to the City of New Orleans Industrial Development Board to develop a theme park to be called Transformation village on the 200-plus acre site of the former Six Flags property that closed following Hurricane Katrina. The proposal includes a resort hotel and international shopping center twice the size of the Superdome.
Recent Openings
Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal
The Port of New Orleans dedicated its new $25 Mississippi River Intermodal Terminal on March 30. The terminal provides an efficient option for moving cargo by rail, with the capacity to move 160,000 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEUs) per year. The port addition is expected to create 100 new, permanent maritime jobs.
California Building
A historic rehabilitation of a former office building at 1111 Tulane Avenue, the California Building was officially completed April 6 by MALIN Construction Company. The building features 167 luxury apartments that will be ready for leasing in June.
Closets by Design
Closets by Design of New Orleans reopened April 4 with local entrepreneurs Charles Graffeo and Jim Incaprera as the new owners. The custom builder and installer of closets, garage cabinets and home offices hasn’t had a presence in the New Orleans marketplace for a few years.
The I.V. Doc
The I.V. Doc™, a mobile, 30-minute, I.V. hydration therapy — has officially entered the New Orleans marketplace. Promising relief from hangovers, the flu, jet lag, exercise fatigue, food poisoning and general exhaustion, the service of health care professionals provides clients with I.V. hydration therapy from their home, hotel or private office.
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