Dear friends and colleagues,
Today, we release the latest data for The Coastal Index dashboard. To monitor the development of the coastal protection and water management economy in Southeast Louisiana, the dashboard tracks data on flood protection and coastal restoration spending, as well as other economic and social factors that have been shown to affect the formation of industry clusters.
This update arrives at a time when priorities for economic development and environmental resilience have never been more aligned. Congress just passed a massive infrastructure bill with provisions for climate resilience. Our governor recently joined world leaders at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, touting the state’s emissions reduction goals. And even as Hurricane Ida damaged homes and toppled power lines across the region, recent investments in flood protection did their job—the Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System withstood its largest test to-date.
With our economy on a slow and steady recovery from COVID-19, promoting a diverse economy and well-paying jobs, such as those tied to water management and other infrastructure improvements, remains a buffer against future economic and environmental shocks.
Check out the updated Coastal Index at:
Bringing you the data you need to make informed decisions,
The Data Center Team
Dabne Whitemore, Jenna Losh, Don Asay, Robby Habans, Lamar Gardere, Cody Brumfield, Katrina Andry, Allison Plyer, and Thomas Wilson
