As founder of Celebrate Canal, the citizen-led initiative leading its revitalization, I am proud of the first year’s results, bringing families back to Canal Street. We are grateful for the support of so many citizens and Mayor-elect Helena Moreno and the City Council as we move forward. We have developed a doable economic development plan that will have positive ripple effects throughout the city and state. The major projects include higher retail and family attractions, with an overriding theme that reflects our history and culture. Importantly, they can begin almost immediately.
Other cities’ revitalizations have in common the recognition that revitalization is economic development. They tout the resulting increases in jobs, population and taxes, creating additional resources to spend on other important needs.
We applaud Gov. Jeff Landry’s economic development incentives of $600 million to Hyundai in Donaldsonville and $800 million to the Meta plant in Richland Parish. Our plan requests a comparatively modest incentive package of $260 million that will fund five to 10 major projects requiring at least $100 million to $200 million in investments each, thus guaranteeing private investments of up to $2 billion…