Baton Rouge Area Chamber: BRAC Joins Economic Development Groups Advocating For Unified Federal Aid

Press release from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber:

September 7, 2021

The multi-billion-dollar financial impact of these disasters include

“The enormous challenge of disaster recovery – from Hurricane Laura around Lake Charles last year to Hurricane Ida now – requires extraordinary help beyond traditional FEMA programs. There is a huge need for disaster relief funding to help rebuild safer and stronger,” stated Adam Knapp, president and CEO of BRAC.

“Since 2020, efforts to obtain direct funding to meet the needs of Southwest Louisiana have been unsuccessful. The experience of residents and leaders in the Lake Charles area should be of concern to our colleagues in Southeast Louisiana,” said George Swift, president and CEO of the SWLA Economic Development Alliance.

Vic Lafont, president and CEO of the South Louisiana Economic Council said, “Known as an area rich with industrial and natural resources that benefit the energy security of our nation, federal assistance in South Louisiana is not only essential post incident, but crucial for the area’s sustainability and resiliency.”

GNO Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht said, “From battering our infrastructure to flooding our homes and businesses, Hurricane Ida’s impacts are varied and far-reaching across the Greater New Orleans Region. Residents from the River Region to the Northshore to the Central Business District and surrounding parishes have seen their lives and livelihoods uprooted. We look forward to working with our congressional delegation to secure federal support to not just rebuild, but to return stronger and more resilient than ever.”

BRAC is compiling Hurricane Ida recovery resources, research and information for businesses at brac.org/prepare.

About the Baton Rouge Area Chamber 

About the Baton Rouge Area Chamber

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) leads economic development in the nine-parish Baton Rouge Area, working to grow jobs and wealth and to improve the business climate and competitiveness in the region. Today, BRAC investors include more than 1,500 small businesses, midsize firms, large industry and entrepreneurial startups, as well as individuals and organizations that support business and economic development. In this capacity, BRAC serves as the voice of the business community, providing knowledge, access, services and advocacy. More information is available at brac.org. 

This press release was produced by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.