Press Release

Gutierrez Announces Commerce Department Hurricane Economic Recovery Efforts

Commerce Department Declares Fisheries Emergency, Work to Reopen Major Ports, and Extension of Economic Development Grants

Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today visited the Gulf Coast region with Treasury Secretary John W. Snow, Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao and Social Security Commissioner Jo Anne B. Barnhart to assess both the near-term and long-term economic needs and to discuss the work the Commerce Department is doing to aid in the economic recovery of the region.

“Our first priority is making sure people have the necessities of food, clothing and medical care,” said Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez. “However, once those needs are met, we must rebuild the Gulf Coast economy so businesses can reopen and displaced workers can once again have jobs and paychecks.”

During the daylong visit to the region, Gutierrez discussed the work the Commerce Department is doing to help rebuild the affected areas including the declaration of a fishery failure in the Gulf of Mexico which will make federal relief funds available to help restore the fisheries in the region.

Commercial fishing in the Gulf of Mexico has essentially halted due to major flooding, damage to fishing boats and fishing ports, waterways clogged with debris and closed processing facilities.

Gutierrez announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will work with the impacted states to assess damage to the 15 major fishing ports and the 177 seafood processing facilities in the region. The action makes federal relief funds available to assess the impacts, restore the fisheries, prevent future failure, and assist fishing communities’ recovery efforts after a natural disaster.

The Commerce Department is also re-mapping the ports to help shipping and commerce in the Gulf Coast region resume as soon as possible. Additionally, the Commerce Department is extending economic development grants, making more than $8 million available for Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

The economic team’s first stop was the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas where they visited FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Center and Volunteer Center. They also visited Baton Rouge, Louisiana before making their final stop at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama where they met with Alabama’s Governor Bob Riley, community leaders and state and local officials to discuss the economic needs of their state.