Federal Coordinator Donald E. Powell Speaks at Tulane University’s 28th Annual Business Forum

Release Date: October 19, 2007

For Immediate Release
Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding
Contact: Brendan LaCivita, 202-572-8878

New Orleans, LA. -- Donald E. Powell, the president’s top official for Gulf Coast rebuilding, today addressed over 800 business professionals representing various industries at Tulane University’s annual business forum. This year’s forum, “Discovering Opportunities,” provided the appropriate backdrop for examples of progress among New Orleans’ rebuilding efforts.

“Each time I visit New Orleans I see continuing examples of the progress this city has made,” Powell said. “But I also see opportunity. My prevailing sentiment remains one of hope and optimism, and I am here to tell you there is unprecedented business and leadership opportunity in this region.”

In his remarks Powell discussed how the influx of federal money to the region, including $115 billion provided by the president and Congress, $7.9 billion in tax-exempt private activity bonds to help offset increased costs and risks in severely impacted areas, and $1 billion in New Market Tax Credits from the Treasury Department for use in under-developed rural and urban neighborhoods, is providing business and leadership opportunities.

“The opportunities for investment and heroic leadership are bountiful,” stated Powell. “The budding entrepreneurs, aspiring community leaders and last but not least, hardworking volunteers, whose sweat equity has helped this city make tremendous strides since 2005, will ensure the recovery of the region and this historic city.”

The Annual Tulane Business Forum, presented by the Tulane Association of Business Alumni and Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, features speakers of national acclaim who address a wide variety of business topics of general interest to the business community. This year’s forum featured experts on health care, insurance, higher education, communications, and Gulf Coast recovery.

For the last twenty-three months, the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been engaged in facilitating and streamlining various components of the recovery effort, providing key federal support and resources to local leaders, and reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast.

www.dhs.gov/gulfcoastrebuild

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This page was last modified on October 19, 2007