Orleans Area Takes Big Hits
by JIM BEAM - The American Press (excerpt)

The woes of the New Orleans area seldom generate serious concern outside southeast Louisiana. However, recent developments there will eventually impact the entire state, and they can’t be ignored. Northrop Grumman delivered the latest blow when it announced it would be closing its Avondale Shipyards in 2013. That translates to the loss of 5,000 high-paying jobs and up to 10,000 indirect jobs. The 5,000 job losses at Avondale represent 15 percent of the 33,600 manufacturing jobs in the New Orleans area.

Consider what would happen here if Citgo and Conoco Phillips closed down their refinery operations. This area would lose 2,000 quality jobs. That would be as devastating to the local economy as the 5,000 jobs will be down east.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune talked about the domino effect that has taken place in that part of the state over the last six months. “The year started so bright, with the Saints winning the Super Bowl and the feeling that the New Orleans area had moved beyond its post-Katrina nightmare to the cusp of a better future,” the newspaper said. Not much has gone right since.