NEW ORLEANS -- Besides reducing crime, Mitch Landrieu says creating jobs of the future in New Orleans is one of his top priorities.
The mayor-elect admits a lot must happen before the city is primed for economic development.
"Giving people an honest government, giving them a fair shake, making sure the permitting process is easy, making sure they have a business friendly place, making sure the city is safe, making sure you have a smart workforce, and making sure you have people that go out and hustle, and all of a sudden, you're going to create some jobs," said Landrieu.
Tuesday, Landrieu introduced his transition team's economic development task force.
The panel is co-chaired by former mayoral candidate Leslie Jacobs and Citizens United for Economic Equality CEO Greg St. Etienne.
Louisiana's Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret is also on the panel. Moret said Landrieu's job creation efforts must be strong, well funded and professional.
"Efficient government interaction with business is very, very important," he said. "It's important to build confidence with existing businesses here as well as other business this administration will seek to attract to the city."
Ethan Cheramie heads up PetroTV. The New Orleans-based start-up streams news and video content to dozens of gasoline stations in Louisiana.
He said the best thing Landrieu can do to create jobs is to focus on helping small businesses get off the ground.
"The major challenge we have seen over the past year or so, has been the lack of effort on the administration to promote small business and entrepreneurship throughout the city and state as a whole," said Cheramie.
The mayor-elect said he plans to form a public-private partnership with a new board to create and implement a business growth and retention plan for the city.
Landrieu made it clear, he will be the city's top business ambassador.
"Somebody's got to go close the deal," said Landrieu. "Somebody's got to build the relationships. Somebody has to be there to speak with authority. I'm going to continue to do that in a very aggressive way."
"Clearly, there needs to be a much stronger effort and focus on economic development then there has been in the recent past," said Moret.
Mayor-elect Landrieu said he is already hearing from companies that want to give New Orleans a second look. He didn't want to mention any names, but said they include businesses that deal in manufactured homes, health care and the aerospace industry.
