Invest in GNO, Inc.
Relationships. Relevance. Results.
In this new post-Katrina environment, it has become clear that the region is the economic and social unit that matters – it defines where businesses choose to locate, and how their employees choose to live. And so GNO, Inc. has been presented with both a challenge and an opportunity: to aggressively fulfill its vital role as regional catalyst, ensuring that all of our assets, talent and energy come together to develop a robust, long-term economy that will support companies, jobs and families.
GNO, Inc. will accomplish this by a daily focus on:
- Relationships – leveraging the broad experience and ability that exists in the economic development organizations, governments, businesses and individuals throughout the region.
- Relevance – providing leadership and services that add value to these stakeholders, specifically in business development, policy, workforce, research and communications.
- Results – going far beyond a plan, to executing – and then tracking and reporting on how we are creating a tangibly better region for businesses, workers and families.
We are optimistic about our region. The recovery is in full swing, and with your support, we can use this momentum to create the conditions for a robust economy that will grow well into the future. This is why we are asking you to invest in GNO, Inc. Please join with us as we build relationships, ensure relevance and drive results that will create wealth for Greater New Orleans.
Thank you in advance for your partnership.
William A. Oliver, Chairman
Michael Hecht, President and CEO
Download the 2008 Investment Brochure (PDF)
Download the Investor Pledge Form (PDF)
Why Invest in GNO, Inc?
GNO, Inc. is the economic development convener, coordinator and catalyst for the Greater New Orleans region, ensuring that all assets and opportunities are optimized. Your investment in GNO, Inc. will create a better business climate for your company, and generate increased wealth for the region.
Ways GNO, Inc. will accomplish this include:
- Attracting new companies, and retaining indigenous firms, in partnership with Louisiana Economic Development and our local economic development partners.
- Coordinating regional and super-regional partners to pursue common infrastructure goals (e.g., a better airport).
- Serving as a strong voice in Baton Rouge and Washington, advocating for legislative polices that lower costs, encourage investment and reduce risk.
- Supporting programs to recruit, train and place a qualified workforce.
- Providing insightful research to help businesses make investment decisions.
- Countering negative perceptions about our region, and ensuring that businesses and individuals understand the unparalleled opportunities available at this unique moment.
Plus, GNO, Inc. investors enjoy additional benefits including:
- Inclusion in the GNO, Inc. website and other publications.
- Opportunities to serve on key committees and task forces.
- A direct line to our President & CEO to discuss both specific business concerns, as well as regional issues and opportunities.
- Invitations to the Annual Meeting, quarterly briefings, region wide events and educational seminars.
- Invitation to the Annual Legislative Reception.
- Subscription to the e-newsletter, quarterly report and investor-only alerts/breaking news.
- Recognition in Annual Report and Annual Thank You advertisement in Times Picayune and City Business.
In summary, an investment in GNO, Inc. is an investment in the future of both your company and your community.
The Plan
Greater New Orleans, Inc.’s strategic plan incorporates an aggressive vision for the 10-parish region to fulfill its great potential as one of the best places in the country to work and live. GNO, Inc. will evaluate the success of the plan by measuring and tracking progress and is committed to disseminating the results to the public annually.
The Approach: Executing on 6 Core Foci
1. Build Excellent Relationships with Key Stakeholders
GNO, Inc. is the regional economic development hub serving to coordinate, consolidate and catalyze economic development initiatives. GNO, Inc. role is to leverage the broad experience and ability that exists in the economic development organizations, governments, businesses and individuals throughout the region.
Goals:
- Execute plan to meet in person with 240 key stakeholders.
- Conduct key stakeholder satisfaction survey.
2. Execute the Roadmap
The Greater New Orleans Regional Economic Development Roadmap (Roadmap) is a three year strategic business development and marketing plan developed by the region’s public and private leadership to generate wealth in four key high-growth industries:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Creative Media and Design
- Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics
- International Trade, Logistics and Distribution
Goals:
- Execute the business plans for the target sectors aimed at addressing workforce, public policy and infrastructure needs.
- Engage regional stakeholders to conduct inbound and outbound recruitment missions, attend trade shows, identify qualified leads and collaborate on retention and expansion projects.
- Create a high-quality marketing campaign to highlight the four target sectors and competitive advantages of doing business in Greater New Orleans.
- Conduct a comprehensive public relations campaign that counters negative perceptions of doing business in Louisiana and positions this region as a hub of opportunity.
3. Pursue Business Development Opportunities
While the Roadmap focuses on four targeted industries, GNO, Inc. continues its opportunistic work with potential investors from all sectors. GNO, Inc. will pursue efforts to attract new companies, and retain indigenous firms, in partnership with Louisiana Economic Development and our local economic development partners.
Goal:
- Generate and engage 300 business attraction leads, support 2,500 net new jobs and $200 million in new capital.
4. Pursue Key Public Policy Initiatives
GNO, Inc. collaborates with business leaders from across the region to serve as a unified voice in Baton Rouge and Washington DC, advocating for legislative polices that lower costs, encourage investment and reduce risk.
Goals:
- Work with target sector committees to develop and forward state and federal legislative initiatives and strategies that will help promote attraction and retention of companies in the four target industries.
- Actively support and lead statewide and regional efforts focused on addressing issues that fundamentally affect the region’s ability to recruit and retain companies and residents.
5. Support Regional Workforce Efforts
GNO, Inc. is committed to providing support to the State’s workforce reform plan and developing programs to recruit, train and place a qualified workforce.
Goals:
- Engage the region’s business community and continue to advocate for state and federal workforce reforms that assures a quality workforce.
- Enhance the quality of and access to education and training programs.
- Work with the four target sectors to identify workforce needs and implement strategies to address them.
6. Develop Meaningful Data and Research Tools
GNO, Inc.’s goal is to become the region’s central repository of information and analysis, providing insightful research and data to assist businesses in making decisions.
Goals:
- Launch an enhanced, dynamic website that provides a state of the art data center and GIS mapping tool.
- Develop “White Papers” on key economic development topics.
Measuring Success
| Objective | Weight | Measure | Target |
| 1) Build excellent relationships with key stakeholders | 20% | ||
| a) Execute plan to meet in-person with key stakeholders | 10% | # meetings | 240 |
| b) Conduct key stakeholder satisfaction survey | 10% | score (0-5) | 3.00 |
| 2) Generate sufficient revenue to support full operations | 15% | ||
| a) Succesfully complete 3-year investor campaign | 15% | $M annual | 2.50 |
| 3) Execute key Roadmap deliverables | 15% | ||
| a) Complete sector-specific initiatives | 10% | completions | TBD |
| b) Launch aggressive regional marketing campaign | 5% | visits | 4 |
| Pursue business development opportunities | 15% | ||
| a) Generate and engage business development leads | 5% | # leads | 150 |
| b) Support creation of net new jobs | 5% | net new jobs | 2,500 |
| c) Support investment of new capital | 5% | $M | 200 |
| Pursue key public policy initiatives | 10% | ||
| a) Collaboration and advocay on key issues | 10% | % success | 75% |
| Pursue workforce research and policy agenda | 10% | ||
| a) Conduct comprehensive 10-parish workforce assessment | 5% | study completed | by 10/08 |
| b) Pursue workforce initiatives from Roadmap | 5% | plan implemented | TBD |
| Implement comprehensive communications plan | 10% | ||
| a) Generate earned media | 5% | # stories | 75 |
| b) Redesign, market website | 5% | total hits | 100,000 |
| Develop meaningful data and research tools | 5% | ||
| a) Launch Site Intelligence Tool for local EDOs | 2.5% | total hits | 20,000 |
| b) Develop “White Papers” on key economic development topics | 2.5% | # reports | 4 |
| Total | 100% |
Budget
 |
GNO, Inc.’s total projected annual budget beginning calendar year 2009 is approximately $5 million, which includes both restricted program funds and unrestricted operating revenue. The campaign’s focus is unrestricted operating revenue of a minimum of $2.5 million per year. Annual Target Unrestricted Proforma Budget by Program Focus
Subject to ongoing adjustment by board based on changing economic conditions. |
Investors
| Acadian Ambulance Service Adams and Reese, LLP Antares Technology Solutions, Inc. AT&T Louisiana Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Baptist Community Ministries Barriere Consrtuction Co., LLC BlueCross and BlueShield of Louisiana Boh Brothers Construction Co., LLC Bollinger Shipyards Bourgeois Bennett, LLC Capital One Chase Bank ChevronTexaco Coca Cola Bottling Co. CommTech Industries Companies of Becker & Suffern Crescent Bank & Trust Crescent Crown Distributing, LLC Cytec Industries, Inc. Delgado Community College Deutsch, Kerrigan and Stiles, LLP |
DonahueFavret & Contractors Duplantier, Hrapmann, Hogan & Maher East Jefferson General Hospital East Jefferson Properties Energy Partners, Ltd. Entergy Louisiana Entergy New Orleans Ericksen, Krentel, LaPorte, LLP Eustis Insurance & Benefits Eustis Mortgage Corporation Favrot & Shane Companies First NBC Bank G. H. Leidenheimer Baking Co. Gillis, Ellis & Baker, Inc. Glazer’s Companies of LA Gordon Arata, McCollam, Duplantis & Eagan, LLP Gulf Coast Bank & Trust IBERIABANK Tank Terminals Jack Stumpf & Associates, Inc. Jefferson Business Council |
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Jones Walker King Leblanc & Bland KPMG, LLP LaPorte, Sehrt, Romig & Hand The Boeing Company Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Leger & Shaw Lockheed Martin Loyola University of New Orleans LSU Health Sciences Center Marrero Land & Improvement Assn., LTD McCranie, Sistrunk, Anzelmo, Hardy, Maxwell & McDaniel Metairie Bank & Trust Monteleone Hotel Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Ochsner Health System OMNI BANK Parish National Bank Perlis, Inc. Phelps Dunbar, LLP Plaquemines Association of Business & Industry PMOLINK, Inc. |
Postlethwaite & Netterville Property One, Inc. Regions Bank Seismic Exchange, Inc. Select Properties, LTD Shell Exploration Sizeler Thompson Brown Staines & Eppling Stewart Enterprises, Inc. Strategic Comp Trinity Yachts University of New Orleans Waldemar S. Nelson & Company, Inc. Jefferson Parish Plaquemines Parish St. Bernard Parish St. Charles Parish St. John the Baptist Parish St. Tammany Parish State of Louisiana Tangipahoa Parish Washington Parish |
News in The Region
GNO Inc. intensifies focus on digital media industry
GNO Digital Media Alliance launches
Idea Village and GNO Inc. win $1M Rockefeller Foundation grant
Grant to create affordable, worker housing
Armstrong close to landing deal for AeroMexico service
International service may return to MSY
