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Release Date: November 1, 2007
Contact: Press Office
(202) 572-8890
New Orleans, LA. -- Donald E. Powell, the president's top official for Gulf Coast rebuilding, today spoke to participants of the Chief Executive Network’s (CEN) 4th Annual Innovation Conference, about the role of the federal government plays in bringing new opportunity and development to the Gulf Coast region, using innovative methods and technology.
"Diversifying the economy is key to developing a diverse regional economy and an energetic middle class. The federal government must support local leaders in building an integrated system of workforce development,” stated Powell. “I can assure you the federal government understands this and is vigorously working toward this end."
CEN is a professional peer membership organization for chief and senior business executives of medium and small sized businesses. As part of this year’s conference theme, "Innovation Leadership," Powell highlighted the Administration's commitment to renewing the region’s economic engine by supporting business investment through tax relief, repairing critical public infrastructure and creating job growth opportunities by providing incentives and job training programs.
"I know as executives we devote ourselves to practical analysis and we put a premium on quantifiable results and demonstrable progress", said Powell. "The President has supported progress here by providing the resources necessary for local leaders to lay a solid groundwork for the future."
Federal investment in areas damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is unprecedented. The Department of Labor has committed more than $438 million in grants to provide education and job-skills training for the region’s workers, which includes the Gulf Coast Workforce Development initiative that helps train 20,000 new construction workers by the end of 2009.
For the last two years, 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.
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This page was last modified on November 1, 2007