Nola Reporter

The Year in Review newsletter is a five-part series that provides direct information on work accomplished in 2023 on behalf of the residents of New Orleans. 

A Message from Mayor Cantrell 

"The expression 'nothing stops a bullet like a job' is real and proven. The City of New Orleans is working diligently to expand and diversify our economy in a way that will set our people up for success. We are focused on bringing more businesses to our city that will provide various career opportunities to cultivate true economic development in all areas of New Orleans.  

Our unique culture is a strong driver of our economy. It is one of the essential reasons why we live here, why businesses invest here, and why visitors come here time and again. That, coupled with a generous state tax credit, led to an exploding tech industry that is paving the way for diversification. 

We are more than tourism. We have been the No. 1 airport in North America for two years in a row. We are the home of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Michoud Assembly Facility, which has built every rocket that has launched a human from U. S. soil and into deep space exploration in the last 60 years, including Artemis I. Yes, the nation’s rocket factory is right in our backyard! We are the newly announced River District, a catalytic and transformative project connecting economic development, affordable housing, and public transportation that will be the anchor to new industries in a more vibrant business community. We are the reimagined downtown and the BioDistrict, an epicenter where health care, education, and job creation converge. This is just a snapshot of how the City is implementing strategies to prepare our workforce for 21st century jobs.

Green jobs are on the horizon, with local homegrown companies like Advano paving the way for the energy transition. We are committed to creating a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable future by creating thousands of good green jobs. We have joined other C40 cities in their commitment to driving the creation of 50 million good, green jobs by 2030. With the $5 million Advancing Cities initiative, we are making a historic investment into blue-green infrastructure by providing pathways to new career opportunities for residents, as well as contract opportunities for local small businesses. We are Doing the Work!

In New Orleans, our most important investment is in our people. While we honor our rich history, we are also striving and diversifying for the future, with a keen focus on jobs and industries of the future that build generational wealth, especially among those who have been historically left out of the opportunity. My administration will continue to do its part to ensure our future is built for everyone through the lens of equity, opportunity, and sustainability. We are not leaving anyone behind as we grow."

Sincerely, 

~ Mayor LaToya Cantrell 

City of New Orleans