Why Now
Why is the small business support program, Fast Forward Restart, important to New Orleans?
It is difficult to describe what it’s like for a whole city to put itself together again after an event like Katrina. New Orleans is now two years down that road, and the whole nation knows that recovery has been painfully slow. The challenge, of course, is addressing all the devastated major systems—economy, schools, criminal justice system, water and sewers, health care, housing, etc.—at once. The opportunity is to preserve what is best about the city, while addressing major shortcomings that existed before the storm. To take just one example, the public schools of New Orleans have failed two generations of students. Before the storm, 40% of adults in the city were reading below the 6th
grade level. We now have the chance to fix that whole system, and, despite enormous challenges, the chance of that happening is far greater now than before the storm hit.
Before Katrina, economic development leaders here were often heard to say “Economic development is workforce development.” The number one challenge facing our regional economy was and is developing our workforce. It is understandable that much of that effort has focused on our largest employers, companies with thousands of workers like Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. But all wise observers agree that small businesses must also be supported through this time of devastation and transformation. In the final analysis it is the thousands of small businesses in New Orleans and the gulf coast that will become the economic backbone of the region. Our data and experience show that these businesses value their community and their customers and that they are committed that their businesses will make this a better place.
That is why Fast Forward Restart is important to New Orleans. Two years after Katrina, being successful in the new small business environment continues to be a challenge and will be for the foreseeable future. The business focus, planning and follow-up coaching that Fast Forward Restart has made available to local entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders has clearly made a major contribution to their efforts.
No one should underestimate the impact of sustained efforts by dedicated professionals to bring best practices to New Orleans as we rebuild, through programs like Fast Forward Restart. I joined the Board of Fast Forward Restart to support their commitment to restore the entrepreneurial spirit of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast - one business and organization at a time. We, Board Members and staff, are honored to be a part of New Orleans recovery.
Dr. Michael Cowan
Board President
Fast Forward Restart
Executive Director
Common Good
Loyola University
New Orleans, La.
