Press Release

Gutierrez and Powell Announce Participants of Gulf Coast Business Investment Mission

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding Donald Powell today announced the participants that will join them on the U.S. Department of Commerce Gulf Coast Business Investment Mission to Louisiana and Mississippi May 4-5, 2006.

The companies selected for the mission represent a diverse mix of industry sectors and sizes ranging from major Fortune 500 companies to small- and medium-sized enterprises. During the mission, the delegation will meet with local, state and federal officials involved in Gulf Coast reconstruction to discuss opportunities for investment in the region.

I am very pleased that businesses around the country responded to the Bush Administration's invitation to participate in the rebuilding of the Gulf Region's economy. These businesses will see first hand that the Gulf Region is one of the most attractive emerging markets in the world," said Gutierrez. "Commercial investment in the region will give the local economies a much needed economic boost that will help create jobs and give local workers new opportunities and hope."

"Attracting private sector businesses to invest in the Gulf Coast is critical to rebuilding the region and the economy--government can help set the right conditions for growth, but the business community will ensure that the rebuilding effort can be sustained long-term--and that's why we're here on this trade mission," Powell said. "An investment in the Gulf Coast is a good business opportunity and will also help provide the good people in the region new jobs so that they can move forward with the business of rebuilding their lives."

The trip will take business delegation members to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana, and to Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi. The mission is part of the Bush Administration's broad efforts to rebuild the region by attracting business investment and urging companies to consider the commercial opportunities in the region. During the investment mission participants will learn about incentives that are available through President Bush's Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005. The act created a Gulf Opportunity Zone with tax relief for businesses and entrepreneurs in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

List of Gulf Coast Business Investment Mission Participants