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Two globally released documentaries joined with multiple locally produced events to mark the passing of two decades since the devastating storm.[/caption]
10
Reflections and Resilience 20 Years After Hurricane Katrina
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, New Orleans marked 2025 as a pivotal year of reflection, commemoration and celebration — cementing the anniversary as one of the region’s most significant stories of the year.
The milestone sparked an extraordinary outpouring of remembrance and analysis. Two major documentaries premiered in summer 2025, bringing fresh perspectives to national audiences. National Geographic’s five-part series “Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time” debuted in July on Disney+ and Hulu, examining political failures and systemic injustice through an investigative lens. Netflix followed in August with Spike Lee’s “Katrina: Come Hell and High Water,” a three-part emotional journey centered on survivor testimony. Together, these productions reignited national conversations about responsibility, resilience and whether vulnerable communities are truly safer today.
Locally, cultural institutions stepped up to educate and engage the public. The Historic New Orleans Collection launched free tours of its exhibit “A Vanishing Bounty: Louisiana’s Coastal Environment and Culture,” exploring environmental threats and coastal restoration efforts. The organization also presented the Morrison Lecture examining post-Katrina urban planning, while New Schools for New Orleans released a six-part video series titled “After the Storm: 20 Years of Change and Progress in New Orleans Public Education.”
In our August cover story, Biz New Orleans featured entrepreneurs who launched ventures in the aftermath of the crisis—from Edgar Caro’s Barú Bistro and Tapas to Kay Morrison’s The Occasional Wife—showcasing how innovation emerged from devastation. These stories illustrated that while one-third of the city’s businesses closed forever, those who seized the moment built lasting institutions.
The anniversary also highlighted the city’s extraordinary comeback. For example, New Orleans rebounded from a low of 3.7 million visitors in 2006 to 19 million in both 2019 and 2024. Meanwhile, United Way organized a Day of Action, bringing the community together for service projects. Even the Saints organization celebrated its 20-year sellout streak, a testament to civic pride and recovery.
New Orleans & Company and other regional leaders emphasized the city’s transformation into a must-see cultural destination hosting iconic events, while the $14.5 billion Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System demonstrated unprecedented disaster preparedness.
The 20th anniversary wasn’t just about looking back—it was about honoring nearly 2,000 lives lost, celebrating resilience and asking critical questions about the future. —
By Misty Milioto
9
Armstrong Airport Soars with Transformative Upgrades
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport emerged as a major regional development story in 2025. The expansion combined ambitious infrastructure projects with cutting-edge technology and strategic planning that positions MSY for decades of growth—all while enhancing the passenger experience.
The year’s centerpiece was the August groundbreaking on the $84.5 million Express Shuttle Connector Road, funded through Federal Aviation Administration grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The dedicated shuttle roadway will eliminate congestion between the terminal and the south campus parking garages and Rental Car Center, while laying groundwork for a future intermodal rail connection between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The project represented just one piece of a broader transformation, as officials unveiled plans for a second terminal by 2031. Expected updates include 15 new gates, expanded security and baggage claim areas, and additional parking — infrastructure necessitated by explosive passenger growth from 5.9 million enplanements in 2022 to 6.6 million in 2024.
Driving this expansion was a comprehensive 20-year master plan that invited unprecedented public engagement. The planning process, undertaken by the community and technical advisory committees over two years, projected annual passenger numbers would nearly double to 10.8 million by 2041, potentially requiring expansion from 35 to 60 gates. The FAA-approved baseline scenario accounted for environmental factors including hurricane resilience and stormwater management, ensuring Louisiana's primary air gateway — which handles 85% of the state’s air passengers — could adapt to industry shifts while strengthening its economic development role.
Innovation also extended beyond bricks and mortar. MSY also became one of just 23 airports nationwide to deploy CLEAR’s revolutionary EnVe Pods, featuring face-first biometric technology that verifies traveler identities five times faster than previous methods. Launched just ahead of Super Bowl LIX, the pods eliminated fingerprint and eye scans, streamlining security for thousands of daily passengers. This technological leap complemented MSY’s operational excellence — Uber recognized the airport with its 2024 Quickest Pickup award for an industry-leading 4.1-minute average wait time between rider request and pickup, achieved through strategic staging lot placement and optimized pickup locations.
The airport also gained momentum thanks to a bevy of new routes. Alaska Airlines added service to Portland, Oregon, while Spirit Airlines launched flights to Honduras and expanded its Carnival season access. Starting in February 2026, Breeze Airways will offer international service to Cancun, and Frontier will offer four new nonstop routes connecting New Orleans to Baltimore/Washington, Dallas–Fort Worth, Detroit and Houston.
— By Misty Milioto
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From left to right: dishes from Emeril's, St Germaine and Zasu brought these local restaurants their first Michelin stars.[/caption]
8
The Stars Finally Came Out
The culinary community throughout the South was rocked in April, when MICHELIN and Travel South USA announced that they would be launching the MICHELIN Guide American South covering six states: Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
First published in France in the early 1900s, the MICHELIN Guide has evolved from a motorists’ handbook into one of the world’s leading authorities on dining and hospitality. Today, the guide operates in more than 45 destinations worldwide, applying a consistent set of standards through its team of anonymous MICHELIN inspectors. Its expansion into the American South marks its first regional selection since debuting in North America in 2005.
Anonymous MICHELIN inspectors were sent this year to evaluate restaurants throughout the region for excellence worthy of recognition.
The big news came on November 3, when the MICHELIN Guide unveiled the first American South edition, awarding MICHELIN Stars to three New Orleans restaurants: Emeril’s, which earned Two Stars, and Saint-Germain and Zasu, each earning One Star. The most stars a restaurant can achieve is three.
Emeril’s award came under executive chef E.J. Lagasse, who has refined and reenergized the restaurant founded by his father, Emeril Lagasse.
Saint-Germain — located in the Bywater — earned praise for its inventive tasting menu and commitment to detail under chefs Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith, while in Mid-City, Zasu, led by chef Sue Zemanick, was recognized for its refined seafood-driven menu that blends local ingredients with French technique.
The MICHELIN Guide American South is expected to boost international culinary tourism. “By attracting international culinary tourism and setting new benchmarks for excellence, Michelin’s presence will inspire local restaurants to push creative boundaries while reinforcing New Orleans’ reputation as a must-visit destination for food lovers,” said Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Company.
This initiative aligns with New Orleans & Company’s ongoing efforts to elevate the city’s global profile as a culinary hub. In 2024, New Orleans was the first North American city to host the prestigious Bocuse d’Or and the Pastry World Cup American Championships; they will return in 2026.
New Orleans & Company has also collaborated on the launch of the “Guide Michelin Voyage & Cultures Nouvelle Orléans,” a French-language guide aimed at international travelers. The addition of the MICHELIN Guide American South will further promote authentic Southern cuisine to a global audience.
— By Kim Singletary
7
AI’s Meteoric Rise: From Global Phenomenon to Local Innovation
Artificial intelligence emerged as one of 2025’s defining stories, transforming from futuristic concept into economic powerhouse. Locally, entrepreneurs from New Orleans and across the state positioned themselves at the forefront of AI-driven innovation across healthcare, lending and workforce development.
Globally, AI adoption reached historic highs, with 78% of organizations engaging with the technology. The AI market, valued at $391 billion, is projected to reach $1.81 trillion by 2030.
Generative AI adoption doubled from 2023 to 2024, reaching 65% of organizations, with early adopters seeing returns of $3.70 for every dollar invested.
Louisiana emerged as a national AI adoption leader, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranking the state seventh nationwide for generative AI adoption — 7 percentage points above the national average.
Tulane’s 2025 Greater New Orleans Startup Report reinforced this momentum, revealing that 77% of regional entrepreneurs expect AI to have major long-term impact on their businesses, with 67% viewing it as their biggest opportunity. Among current users, 85% reported productivity gains, expanded market share and cost savings.
The local entrepreneurial ecosystem in New Orleans also mobilized rapidly. Civilized AI, a govtech startup founded by Matt Wisdom (who previously built TurboSquid, which was then acquired by Shutterstock, forming the world's largest 3D marketplace), closed a $2 million seed round led by Benson Capital. Cantaloupe AI won the NSpire Startup Slam's $115,000 prize with its AI-powered hospitality hiring platform, while the newly formed NOLA Entrepreneurship Council convened to address policy, funding and innovation ecosystem challenges.
Meanwhile, healthcare innovation flourished at New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, where BENZAIT CEO Ralph Whalen demonstrated how AI could be used to automate documentation and billing.
Infrastructure financing, however, became the maybe the most unexpected AI story. Baton Rouge’s Cardinal Capital identified AI-driven data centers as “the biggest lending opportunity in a generation,” with utilities filing for more than $29 billion in electricity rate increases.
Educational initiatives also used AI to democratize access. The University of New Orleans launched a free AI Essentials speaker series for small businesses, while OHUB and the New Orleans BioInnovation Center brought AI equity conversations to Essence Fest.
The technology’s disruptive potential, however, became impossible to ignore. For example, JPMorgan, with 360 employees in New Orleans, announced AI-driven workforce reductions of approximately 10% in back-office operations.
— By Kim Singletary
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On August 18, rail service returned to the Gulf Coast with Amtrak's launch of a twice-daily route between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama.[/caption]
6
Amtrak Returns to the Gulf Coast
After nearly two decades of absence, passenger rail service roared back to life along the Gulf Coast in August 2025. This return marked one of the region’s most significant transportation milestones since Hurricane Katrina severed the connection in 2005. The new state-sponsored “Amtrak Mardi Gras Service” didn’t just restore mobility, it reconnected communities, boosted economic development and positioned New Orleans as the premier passenger rail hub in the South.
The twice-daily service launched August 18 between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula, Mississippi. Adult coach fares end-to-end started at $15 each way, less for shorter distances. Trains departed Mobile at 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with corresponding departures from New Orleans, offering Coach and Business Class seating, café service with locally sourced items, free Wi-Fi and generous baggage allowances (including accommodations for golf bags and pets).
The Southern Rail Commission worked tirelessly to position the relaunch ahead of Super Bowl LIX in February, capitalizing on massive visitor influx while showcasing regional connectivity.
The Gulf Coast’s aerospace sector — including NASA Michoud, Stennis Space Center and particularly Airbus’ Mobile manufacturing facility — also stand to benefit significantly from enhanced workforce mobility. Transportation planners noted that reliable rail service could combat “brain drain” by offering young professionals the stress-free, efficient travel increasingly expected in competitive job markets. The 143.9-mile New Orleans-to-Mobile route mirrored distances in successful Northeast corridor markets where fares ranged from $11 to $68, suggesting strong viability.
Amtrak “Mardi Gras Service” guests have same-day connections in both directions daily to Amtrak’s legendary “City of New Orleans” line (between New Orleans and Chicago via Memphis), plus next-day connections to Amtrak’s “Crescent” trains (to and from New York via Atlanta) and Amtrak’s “Sunset Limited” trains (to and from Los Angeles via Tucson, San Antonio and Houston). These connections position the Gulf Coast service as a critical regional connector within America’s broader passenger rail network.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell emphasized the service’s 20-year journey from loss to restoration, celebrating how it furthered the city’s role as the South’s passenger rail anchor. Tourism leaders across the Gulf celebrated; New Orleans & Company has plans to market multiple culturally rich Southern destinations to international visitors.
— By Misty Milioto
5
Pediatric Healthcare’s Transformational Year
Pediatric healthcare in the Gulf South experienced a watershed moment in 2025. The region’s two leading children’s hospitals underwent historic transformations — one rebranding its 70-year legacy, the other breaking ground on a $300 million facility. Both also garnered unprecedented national recognition for clinical excellence.
On Feb. 5, Children’s Hospital New Orleans announced its transformation into Manning Family Children’s. This shift honors a partnership with the Manning family, whose 50-year New Orleans roots and commitment to uplifting the community aligned with the hospital’s mission.
The rebranding marked a new chapter for Louisiana’s only freestanding, comprehensive children’s hospital with more than 600 pediatric-trained providers and 3,000 employees solely dedicated to the care of kids. In addition to comprehensive services offered at its main campus in New Orleans, Children’s operates more than 30 satellite locations across Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
On April 29, Ochsner Health broke ground on The Gayle and Tom Benson Ochsner Children’s Hospital, the largest single construction project in Ochsner’s history. The five-story, 343,000-square-foot facility will create approximately 400 permanent jobs and 200 construction positions.
Slated for early 2028 completion, the hospital will provide expanded emergency department capacity, enhanced critical care, upgraded operating rooms and a Level IV Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit enabling highly specialized infant surgery. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Gayle Benson—alongside hospital and government leaders—also announced a Make-A-Wish partnership funding 28 wishes for critically ill children over two years.
National recognition validated both institutions’ clinical prowess. Newsweek named both Manning Family Children’s and Ochsner Children’s to its America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2025 list. Manning Family Children’s earned recognition in cardiology and cardiac surgery, plus pulmonology. Ochsner Children’s stood as the most awarded pediatric hospital in Louisiana, earning recognition in cardiology and cardiac surgery, neonatology and pulmonology—becoming the only Louisiana children’s hospital ranked by both Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report.
Manning Family Children’s also opened its first ThriveKids Community Clinic in New Orleans East, embedded within the Opportunity Center. The new clinic provides primary and mental health care five days weekly. The clinic is built on the hospital’s ThriveKids’ success, which just last year provided more than 20,000 mental health counseling sessions for students.
Meanwhile, the Mannings also recruited nationally recognized expert Dr. Michelle Sykes as medical director of the new Manning Family Children’s Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment and Research Center. As the Gulf South’s first pediatric pulmonary hypertension program, it ensures comprehensive cardiac care remains accessible close to home.
— By Misty Milioto
4
Jefferson Parish’s Bicentennial Year Delivers Historic Economic Wins
Jefferson Parish celebrated its 200th birthday in 2025 with more than nostalgia. The milestone year brought a cascade of major economic development victories, reinforcing the parish’s status as the region’s economic engine and positioning it as a national competitor in emerging industries.
The crown jewel was the groundbreaking of UBE Corporation’s $500 million manufacturing facility at Cornerstone Energy Park in February, which coincided with the official bicentennial kickoff. The Japanese chemical company’s investment created the first reliable domestic U.S. supply of critical lithium-ion battery components for electric vehicles, generating 58 high-wage jobs and more than 400 construction positions. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, marking Jefferson Parish’s arrival as a key player in the global EV supply chain.
Major corporate relocations and expansions followed in rapid succession. RNGD, a commercial construction and design leader, consolidated operations in a $25 million, 14-acre headquarters campus including a 25,000-square-foot training academy, creating 130 new jobs while retaining 265 positions. The fifth-generation Reily Foods Company relocated its headquarters to Jefferson Parish, retaining 500 jobs and strengthening the parish’s robust food and beverage cluster.
Amazon opened its first Louisiana same-day delivery fulfillment center in September, a 150,000-square-foot facility that brought the company’s total state investment since 2010 to more than $3 billion and 6,000 jobs.
Retail transformation also reshaped the landscape as Elmwood and Clearview shopping centers underwent redevelopments. Elmwood’s former K-Mart site will become a five-story, 251-unit high-end apartment complex with 64,000 square feet of new retail space, while Clearview City Center’s mixed-use redesign included retail and residential offerings.
Meanwhile, JEDCO created the Jefferson Parish Design District — a 320-acre hub near the Orleans Parish line featuring more than a dozen design businesses. JEDCO also launched Grand Isle Jewels, an umbrella brand for off-bottom oysters, that connected local farmers with major national distributor Inland Foods.
The bicentennial celebration itself became an economic statement. Lakeside Shopping Center, marking its own 65th anniversary, hosted a bicentennial ball, which raised more than $330,000 for the Jefferson Community Foundation.
JEDCO’s “More Here” attraction campaign captured the spirit perfectly, encouraging businesses to invest more, build more and innovate more in a parish where strategic location at the crossroads of river, rail and air hubs made ambitious visions achievable. As Jefferson Parish closed out its bicentennial year, the message was unmistakable: Two centuries of growth had built momentum that shows no signs of slowing.
— By Misty Milioto
3
Surge in Entrepreneurial Win
New Orleans has long been celebrated for its entrepreneurial spirit, but 2025 saw a real surge of activity. The following are just a handful of the standout wins we saw.
In March, New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) returned this year for the first time as a co-production between founding organization The Idea Village and Loyola’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Community Development, under the direction of veteran tech entrepreneur Bobby Savoie.
During this year’s event, The Idea Village launched its new METRONOME track within the IDEAinstitute Spring 2025 cohort. The 10-week accelerator program is tailored for early-stage founders innovating within the music industry. NOEW also saw the first Startup Noir Nola Mini Summit — a free, full-day event focused on celebrating Black entrepreneurs and investors, with a lineup focused on funding, scaling and breaking barriers to growth. The Idea Village and Halliburton Labs also announced the launch of the Scott Gale Memorial Award, a new recognition to celebrate visionary leaders shaping the future of energy and innovation The first award will be presented at NOEW 2026.
Meanwhile, on the Northshore, THE LAUNCHPAD, a new pitch competition from STartUP Northshore, debuted on Aug. 6 to spotlight early-stage founders in the region. Competitors vied for a piece of the $5,000 prize pool, with Christopher Andry, founder of WSPER, earning the top prize for his smart panic button and sensor technology.
In September, Tulane University spinout Informuta announced the opening of a new laboratory at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC). The company’s platform uses artificial intelligence and DNA sequencing to forecast the likelihood that antibiotic resistance will develop over the course of a person’s treatment.
On the funding side, in February, Louisiana Economic Development announced the launch of Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO), a new division dedicated to supporting more high-growth, technology-enabled startups. The first LA.IO initiative was the creation of the Louisiana Growth Fund, with initial federal funding of $50 million that innovators can utilize in establishing and scaling startups across Louisiana. LA.IO is also developing the nonprofit Louisiana Institute for Artificial Intelligence. The institute’s first project is to upgrade 5,000 small businesses across Louisiana with AI tools to help them scale their business and improve their competitiveness.
The region’s largest angel investor group, Gulf South Angels (GSA), celebrated a record first-half this past summer with investments totaling $3.5 million in 12 entities, and 1834 Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, launched its inaugural $20 million fund to invest in startups founded by Tulane University alumni, faculty and extended community, including those who have engaged with Tulane programs, partnerships or innovation initiatives.
— By Kim Singletary
2
Super Bowl Launches Banner Year for Downtown New Orleans
Super Bowl LIX didn't just deliver a spectacular game in February — it sparked a transformative year for Downtown New Orleans. Not only did the game accelerate record-breaking economic impact and infrastructure improvements, it renewed momentum that positioned the city’s urban core as one of the year’s biggest regional success stories.
The record-tying 11th Super Bowl hosted by New Orleans generated $1.25 billion in statewide economic impact, doubling the effect of the 2013 game. It also ranked as the second most financially impactful Super Bowl in history despite NOLA’s smaller size compared to recent host cities. The event supported nearly 10,000 jobs, generated $82.7 million in tax revenue and drew 128 millionTV viewers who saw the newly renovated Caesars Superdome's $560 million makeover.
Leading up to the event, state and local partners coordinated a massive infrastructure campaign, completing more than 500 initiatives totaling $70 million. These included road repairs, drainage improvements, lighting upgrades and beautification projects that permanently enhanced Downtown.
The momentum also continued throughout the year. For example, Sandra Herman's Celebrate Canal! Coalition emerged as a driving force for revitalization. Projects and events included "Windows on Canal" art installations, the “After 5: Canal Street Champagne Stroll” and bringing together business leaders to reimagine Downtown as a cultural destination.
Downtown's resurgence was reflected in hard data. The 2025 State of Downtown report documented 7.8 million unique visitors — a 6.4% year-over-year increase — supporting 56,000 jobs across 1,200 businesses that generated one-third of the city's sales tax revenue. The district welcomed 25 new restaurants, completed $600,000 in placemaking projects (including murals and lighting) and saw residential units triple from just 2,100 before Hurricane Katrina to more than 6,300 today.
Meanwhile, Seth Knudsen became the Downtown Development District’s new president and CEO in May, bringing decades of local government experience to the role. His "Cleaner, Safer, Stronger" vision focuses on leveraging Super Bowl partnerships with GNO, Inc., and the BioDistrict for long-term improvements.
As 2025 unfolded, Downtown continued attracting investment — from the Floyd Pavilion expansion at The National WWII Museum to the opening of the Mayfair Hotel on Canal Street. New lighting analyses, mobility improvements through expanded Amtrak service, and ongoing office market stabilization demonstrated that Super Bowl LIX wasn't just a moment, it was the launchpad for Downtown's next chapter of growth and transformation.
— By Misty Milioto
1
Election of New Mayor Brings Fresh Energy and Hope
After eight years of service, Mayor LaToya Cantrell is ending her time as the 62nd mayor of New Orleans under federal indictment for conspiracy, fraud and obstruction — the first city mayor to be indicted while in office. She is also leaving behind a city struggling with a budget crisis with a $160 million shortfall that has left city leaders scrambling to make payroll and facing potentially deep budget cuts for 2026.
Before the budget problems were widely known, however, New Orleanians had already chosen a new leader — Helena Moreno. Set to become the second-ever female mayor of New Orleans, City Council member Moreno achieved an outright victory over her two opponents — Sen. Royce Duplessis and New Orleans City Council member Oliver Thomas — by garnering 55% of the votes in what marked the highest voter turnout for a New Orleans mayoral election since 2002.
A WDSU-TV investigative reporter turned member of the Louisiana House of Representatives — where she served District 93 for eight years — Moreno has served on the New Orleans City Council since 2017, including as president from June 2019 to January 2023. Moreno’s most notable achievements have centered around fighting domestic violence and supporting gender equality, supporting the city’s Latino population and improving the region’s justice system, healthcare, and the way it cares for the environment, children and the elderly.
During the election, Moreno was specific about her plans as incoming mayor, providing detailed plans on her website of what she would do to address public safety and economic development and make city services more reliable.
In the September 2025 issue of Biz New Orleans, we surveyed top area business leaders in the New Orleans 500 about the issues that mattered most to them and then asked Moreno, Thomas and Duplessis to share their specific plans relating to those issues. The top concern by far was city infrastructure, about which Moreno shared that her first priority would be to “bring a culture change to City Hall, where responsibility, accountability and urgency are standard.”
Her second priority was to “establish an infrastructure operations task force to coordinate all street, drainage and water projects across all agencies and utilities.” Third on her list was to “build skilled, in-house city work crews to handle street-level repairs like paving, potholes and streetlights.”
— By Kim Singletary
