The New Orleans Index, January 2009

In contrast to the nation, the greater New Orleans economy has grown, boosted by the large-scale rebuilding effort underway. There is a new uptick in population growth and the region's unemployment rate is a relatively low 4.9 percent. Yet, storm damage remains widespread, potential destruction from new storms looms large, and state and local leaders must simultaneously confront the opportunities and challenges presented by Washington's economic recovery efforts and the potential sunsetting of the federal Office of Gulf Coast Recovery.