BioDistrict New Orleans: Creating New Economic Development Opportunities 
Construction of new facilities and the sustainably Built Environment, combined with workforce development and promising research in chronic and infectious diseases and treatments are the key to our success. 

 

Louisiana Cancer Research Center is the latest addition to the BioDistrict

With the award of the Louisiana five-year, $19.9 million Clinical and Translational Science (IDeA-CTR) grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH), New Orleans took a major step forward in clinical research and use of the new Louisiana Cancer Research Center at 1700 Tulane Ave. 

This is one of a handful of "game changing" activities currently underway. The opportunity to create, finance, manufacture, and distribute new medicines, treatments and technologies are underway everyday in the BioDistrict. Whether it is a meeting of angel fund investors, venture capitalists, hosting visiting preeminent researchers or pitching a new company to locate in the District, it is happening everyday.  

This holistic approach is a significant departure from what we were doing post-Katrina, where the reliance was on medical education and healthcare delivery and to a lesser degree, commercialization. In the past, few members of the workforce actually lived near the facilities -- that is all about to change.  

Tulane Avenue was an example of urban blight brought on by the interstate system and flight by residents to the suburbs.   

Revitalized Tulane Avenue corner of Broad Street with a view towards the CBD. New retail, housing, office, and restaurants to anchor a 24/7 environment.

In a recent article in The Atlantic Cities, noted urban sociologist Richard Florida discussed the danger of not building out the entire ecosystem and livable neighborhood. He reasoned Meds and Eds alone cannot revitalize. It takes businesses and professional services to make the conversion from academics to economic development.   

Based on the findings of the GCR\Dr. James A. Richardson's economic analysis, we are projecting added demand for 2,200 new residential units in the next five years and an influx of new businesses interested in servicing that demand.   

For more information Click Here.  

One of the earliest initiatives of the BioDistrict was to organize the development of a conveyor belt style workforce development system for New Orleanians to access quality, sustainable jobs. We were able to leverage a small portion of a larger grant from Baptist Community Mission, Entergy, HCA, and others to analyze workforce demand as a result of the new hospital construction and the emerging bioscience industry.  In fact, the second most important condition to develop a bioscience industry in New Orleans is the availability of a trained, skilled workforce. In all of the industry calls we receive, questions about workforce are in the top five following flood protection, crime and schools. 

 

Workforce Partnership Pre-Bid Meeting

 

WHAT THIS RFP IS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE

New Orleans Works (NOW) is seeking proposals from hospitals and other healthcare facilities to develop hospital-led or hospital-centric workforce partnerships in the greater New Orleans area. NOW envisions available funding will enable hospitals and other healthcare facilities to prepare low-skilled job seekers and incumbent workers for career pathways to address critical workforce needs, improve worker retention and increase patient satisfaction. New Orleans Works will provide up to $250,000 in funding to cover a range of activities, including the cost of licensure and/or certification training and coaching for entry-level and incumbent workers that lead to career advancement.

 

WHAT IS A WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP?

A Workforce Partnership is a collaborative group comprised of key stakeholders that work together to meet the workforce skill needs of employers and offer best practices for training low-skilled workers for jobs within an industry sector that is critical to a region's economy. Workforce Partnerships support and enhance education, training and job placement for low-income, low-skilled unemployed adults or incumbent workers. High-quality workforce partnerships are employer-driven, innovative sector approaches to help low-wage workers succeed in the economy while also improving the competitiveness of a group of employers. 

 

 Click Here for a copy of the RFP   

Bids are due at NOW Oct. 5, 2012

Deadly Medicine Exhibit at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans

For More Information

The traveling exhibit, sponsored locally by Tulane University School of Medicine, speaks to a number of bioethics issues facing the research community.  

Holocaust Survivor Ms. Eva Kor speaking about Nazi medical experiments, her will to live and ability to forgive Courtesy of the National WWII Museum

Thanks to United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National WWII Museum, Tulane University and Dr. Ben Sachs for showcasing this exhibit on the horrors of deadly medicine. Click on the link below for a complete list of panel discussions and lectures.    

Fall Meeting New Orleans, LA   October 19, 2012 Space is limited -- Register Now