Industry News

FOOD

Chef Emeril Lagasse to be Honored by NOWFE Jan. 25

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE) will bestow its 2018 Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Award on celebrity chef, restaurateur, television personality, author and philanthropist Emeril Lagasse.

The gala will take place Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Canal Street.

“It is an honor for NOWFE to bestow the Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award on Chef Emeril,” said Traci Beninate, NOWFE past president, “and we are thankful she took that chance on him so many years ago.”

Tickets to the event are available at nowfe.com for $175 per person. Proceeds benefit the many local nonprofit organizations NOWFE supports throughout the year. NOWFE 2018 is set for May 23 – 27, 2018.

POPULATION

Millennials Flocking to New Orleans

Business Insider has named New Orleans to a list of 11 U.S. cities to which “millennials are flocking…in droves.”

New Orleans was cited for its 8.5 percent growth in millennials from 2010 to 2015 — a growth of more than 5,000 people in this demographic.

Business Insider’s Top Millennial Cities (alphabetical order)

Data compiled from personal finance company SmartAsset, real-estate analytics firm RCLCO, and mortgage software firm Ellie Mae.

EDUCATION

Leadership St. Bernard Now Accepting Applications

Emerging leaders are invited to join a six month program designed to educate and engage St. Bernard citizens in identifying needs, resources and opportunities for the parish. Leadership St. Bernard is now accepting applications for their 2018 class.

Limited to 28 participants, the classes begin with an orientation Jan. 19 and meet once or twice a month through June 26. The cost is $250 for St. Bernard Chamber members and $350 for non-members. For more information, visit StBernardChamber.org.

TECHNOLOGY

GNO, Inc. Releases Workforce Analysis of Digital Media Sector

Last month, Greater New Orleans, Inc. released the State of the Sector report on digital media-related industries and occupations in the Greater New Orleans region. According to the report, the region boasts 16,459 jobs in digital media related industries and occupations.

The State of Sector analysis, funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co., focuses on specifics of current and future workforce/job opportunities over the next 10 years in the Greater New Orleans region. According to GNO, Inc. President and CEO, Michael Hecht, “Greater New Orleans is now a fast emerging technology hub, poised for 26 percent growth over the next 10 years, which is creating unprecedented demand for technology workers.”

“Black Friday and Cyber Monday were record-breaking days for us, resulting in major sales records both online and in-store for devices developed right here in New Orleans. Record numbers of new customers are turning their homes into smart homes and using their voice to control everything inside their residence, including lighting, temperature and audio.”

Greg Rhoades, director of marketing, energy management, controls and automation in New Orleans for Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Photo by Loyola University, New Orleans

MONEY

New Orleans Ranks Low in “Wallet Fitness”

How many New Orleanians are “in a stable financial position, able to comfortably meet existing obligations as well as plan for the future”?

Not many, according to a recent WalletHub survey that looked at 180 U.S. cities across 29 key metrics – ranging from unemployment, poverty and foreclosure rates to income volatility and savings habits.

Wallet Fitness in New Orleans (1=Best; 91=Avg.)

152nd    Median Household Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
150th    Median Credit Score
157th    Median Credit Card Debt
160th    Non-Mortgage Debt per Person (as % of Median Income)
111th    % of Households with Emergency Savings
123rd    Foreclosure Rate
88th      % of ‘Underwater’ Homes (with Negative Equity)
117th    % of Uninsured Population
108th    % of High School Dropouts

BUDGET

Jefferson Parish Council Adopts $645 Million Budget

Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni won unanimous council approval last month for a $645 million operating and capital budget for 2018.

Calling the parish’s bond rating “stable,” fund balance “healthy,” and noting that Jefferson is “poised” to lead the region, Yenni praised the new budget which represents an increase of more than $7.6 million over the 2017 budget — paving the way for more than $76 million of capital improvements in 2018 throughout the parish.

A majority of the capital expenditures will occur in the public works area, amounting to approximately 75 percent of the entire capital budget with approximately 39 percent dedicated to drainage improvements.

In an independent audit, the parish was said to have “no financial deficiencies” in its financial reporting, something previous administrations have failed to accomplish.