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Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, Donald E. Powell, Tours Louisiana National Guard's Headquarters at Jackson Barracks

Release Date: September 13, 2007

For Immediate Release
Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding
Contact: Brendan Lacivita, 202-572-8878

(New Orleans, LA) -- The President's top official for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, Donald E. Powell, today received a briefing from Major General Hunt Downer and officials from the Louisiana National Guard (LANG) on recovery progress at Jackson Barracks.  Following the briefing, Powell toured the post and met with Guardsmen who had suffered as a result of Katrina.

Chairman Powell highlighted the ongoing progress of the post as critical to the long-term recovery of the area and America’s national security interests.  Powell and Downer highlighted the cooperation between federal and local entities in restoring Jackson Barracks. 

"The cooperation involved in rebuilding Jackson Barracks at the federal, state, and local level serves as a model for revitalization efforts," Powell stated. "I am privileged to have met men and women here today who served honorably overseas, before returning home and serving honorably in the communities that needed them."  At the time Hurricane Katrina struck, an infantry brigade of Louisiana National Guardsmen was returning home from Iraq.  These soldiers, many of whom had family members displaced and had homes destroyed during the storm, immediately went to work on recovery efforts.  

General Downer and LANG have demonstrated remarkable vision in developing a master plan that identifies and utilizes various funding avenues from both federal and state partners.  The federal government, for its part, has obligated $41.7 million to the rebuilding of Jackson Barracks, with the beginning of construction expected by the end of this year. 

Powell further remarked on the potential economic impact of the post.  "It is estimated that, once it is operating at full capacity, Jackson Barracks will serve as a powerful economic driver for this community, generating close to $100 million annually.  This will have a profound, lasting effect on this region."

For the last twenty-two months, the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been engaged in facilitating and streamlining various components of the recovery effort, providing key federal support and resources to local leaders, and reinforcing the federal government's commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast.

www.dhs.gov/gulfcoastrebuild

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This page was last modified on September 17, 2007