Many of the residents who evacuated to escape the storm returned to their homes. However, the city’s population is now only two-thirds of its pre-Katrina level. Some residents who evacuated did not return because they simply did not have the financial resources to rebuild. Some of the professionals and skilled workforce did not return because their businesses, as well as the communities they served, were decimated. However, after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans and much of the region is rebuilding – and to rebuild they need talent, technology, new ideas, skills and innovation.

This means that there is opportunity for those companies that have maintained their businesses in the region, and for those companies that recognized the needs brought about by the devastation of the storm and reinvented themselves.  Beyond that, it means opportunity for outside companies that are interested in expanding and growing where there is great need.  They can partner with companies already in the region and potentially qualify for many of the contracts available through various state and local governments and the private sector.  In addition, these companies have a chance to make a difference in the Gulf South as the area is still trying to recover from one of this country’s greatest disasters.

The need for professional and skilled resources is great.  The region needs teachers, healthcare and mental health professionals, contractors and construction skilled trades, project planners, civil engineering, and many more.  For any small business in the country trying to expand, the Gulf South can provide profitable possibilities.  For those companies in the region, this is an opportunity to find compatible businesses in other parts of the country with which to partner as they look to expand their capabilities and skills.  

Sign up today for your free seller membership by using promo code "katrina" which needs to be typed in all lower case.

The ZANA Network database of companies now includes hundreds of businesses in the Gulf South with the following capabilities:

• Construction
• Architectural Design
• Planning
• Civil Engineering
• Urban Planning
• Facility Services
• And, many others

We invite all of our members to begin exploring opportunities with these companies along with others in the ZANA Network database. Together, we can bring greater success to small and medium enterprises throughout the country. 

View our press release on New Orleans and the Gulf South by clicking here.