River News Now Breaking News Travel

New Orleans is Well on the Road to Recovery

Written by ARAcontent

Tuesday, 02 October 2007

(ARA) – When you stroll the streets of New Orleans, there are people coming and going, street musicians belting out tunes and horns blaring. Not to mention the wonderful smells of creole cooking and sweet sounds of hammers pounding. The city has come a long way since Aug. 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit. According to “The Katrina Index,” created by the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center, applications for new housing construction permits have now soared above pre-Katrina levels, enrollment numbers are rising at elementary and secondary schools and unemployment levels, which used to be extremely high, are back down below the national average. In addition, millions of cubic yards of debris have been cleared away and the levees are in the process of being rebuilt. The news is equally good for the city’s tourism industry. It seems their recovery campaign, “Come Fall in Love with New Orleans All Over Again,” is working. Mardi Gras 2007 was a resounding success, with an estimated crowd of 800,000 and area hotels reporting a 95 percent occupancy rate throughout the last weekend of the festival. Things are back in swing at The Convention Center, too. More than 94 major conventions, tradeshows and events will be held at the Center this year. Next year looks to be even busier. In March alone, thousands of sales professionals from Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. will arrive in town for Sales Convention 2008. “New Orleans has shown its heart and soul over the past couple of years, and Prudential Real Estate affiliates, known for the heart and soul they pour into their business and communities, will bring a soul infusion to the city by attending and thereby supporting this great American city,” says Susan Antal, Prudential Real Estate’s communications director. And welcoming them all with open arms will be Ruthie Frierson, a sales professional with Prudential Gardner REALTORS in New Orleans. She has lived and worked in the city her entire life, and is now playing a leadership role in its recovery. In her spare time, Frierson heads-up the grassroots group, “Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans,” which has been instrumental in getting legislation passed to reform the levee board and to reduce the number of tax assessors in the city of New Orleans. Frierson says she’s ecstatic and proud that Prudential Real Estate will be holding its annual convention in New Orleans in 2008. “It’s great news! The infusion of support to our economy is important for our rebuilding. Those who come will spread the news that New Orleans is a great place to visit and that thousands of citizens’ efforts are ensuring that the city will be rebuilt better than before,” says Frierson. “We’re proud to be able to support the city’s revitalization by bringing thousands of visitors who will pump money into the economy. We’re all looking forward to enjoying all it has to offer -- the French Quarter, the unique architecture, the wonderful museums, attractions and cuisine,” says Laurie Keenan, president of Prudential Real Estate. Hosting a convention in New Orleans isn’t the only contribution the company has made to the city’s recovery efforts. Prudential Real Estate, along with its parent company Prudential and other subsidiaries, contributed $5 million toward the recovery efforts. As Prudential Real Estate congregates in March, many affiliate companies will embrace a variety of local community efforts and charitable organizations. “We have a lot of volunteers coming through to help with the cleanup and rebuilding effort, but you don’t have to don a hard hat or pick up a hammer to make a difference. Truly just coming, staying in the hotels and having a nice meal really helps the economy,” says Grace Wilson, a communications associate for the city of New Orleans. To learn more about the city of New Orleans, log on to www.NewOrleansCVB.com. To locate a Prudential Real Estate sales professional near you, log on to www.prudential.com. Courtesy of ARAcontent

 

< Prev		Next >