PRESS RELEASES | Friday, September 19, 2008

LED Releases Updated Hurricane Gustav and Initial Hurricane Ike Economic Impact Assessment
Louisiana Economic Development (LED) today released an updated analysis of Hurricane Gustav’s impact and a very preliminary assessment of Hurricane Ike’s impact on the Louisiana economy. LED previously released very preliminary estimates of Gustav’s economic impact.

Governor Bobby Jindal Issues Letter Requesting Fully Funding CDBG and Disaster Loan Funds
Friday, Governor Bobby Jindal issued a letter to Congress requesting the full funding of the Community Development Block Grant Program and the FEMA Community Disaster Loan (CDL) Program to aid Louisiana in Hurricane Gustav and Ike recovery efforts.

Estimated Homes Flooded During Ike Update
Terrebonne and St. John Parish officials are reporting a significant decrease in the number of homes flooded during Hurricane Ike. Terrebonne Parish officials estimate 2,500 homes flooded, not 15,000 as originally reported. St. John Parish has decreased its number of flooded homes from 100 to 50.

Strain: agriculture is backbone of economy
Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said he takes exception on behalf of all state farmers to comments made by University of Louisiana at Monroe economist Robert Eisenstadt in a September 9 interview with KNOE television station reporter Jennifer Townley.

Strain and Landrieu optimistic for disaster relief
Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., and Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu said they are hopeful the United States Congress will authorize hurricane disaster relief funding for Louisiana by the end of next week.