A lot of smaller companies, and even a lot of medium-sized ones, cannot afford the costs of getting up and back in business.

Any time you have a Fortune 500 company opening, it sends a message that New Orleans is open for business.

[The city government has identified space for 3,000 FEMA trailers and is looking for space for up to 2,000 more.] The mayor has made it clear that first priority will go to people who are here looking for work, ... We need to stimulate the economy now.

The city is broke and I'm sure some of you businesses are feeling the same angst.

He's gonna be there until this thing turns around. He's showing the leadership a mayor should show.

It's devastating, but it's also an opportunity to make New Orleans one of the best cities of the 21st century.