For New Orleans, report sends a familiar message on growing jobs

In a quest to get New Orleans' post-Katrina economy moving in the right direction, a private research group recently outlined the task ahead for the city.

The recommendations by RAND Corp. weren't radical, at least by the standards of hot-growing economies, but were foreign to usual practice in New Orleans. Much of the report qualifies as common sense - and a large portion fell under "Where have we heard this before?"

Perhaps in countless other studies gathering dust on the shelf.

But more than two years after the hurricane flooded 80 percent of New Orleans, and long after it became apparent big companies won't be running in with fists full of cash, the RAND report outlined a lengthy task. Charitably speaking, the city has a less-than-stellar track record for its business climate, especially since the oil bust of the 1980s.

RAND compiled its recommendations for Horizon Initiative, a civic-business group formed after Katrina, and studied economic development plans in 17 other regions - including some that have been cleaning New Orleans' clock. RAND also talked with locals in business and government. More here.