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Regional Business Coalition Announces Resolution to Support VA & University Medical Centers

Since March 2006, the Downtown Development District has been a leading proponent of the construction of the Veterans Administration Medical Center and University Medical Center adjacent to Downtown New Orleans. The DDD believes that these projects are crucial to the development of a world-class Bioscience and medical corridor. In addition, these projects will also be a major component of the DDD's Industries of the Mind initiative.

In alignment with the 2006 resolution passed by the Downtown Development District Board of Commissioners, a coalition of the region's business organizations have come together to push for the accelerated development of the new Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) and the University Medical Center (UMC), proposed for the Biosciences District in lower Mid-City, adjacent to Downtown New Orleans.

The Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region spearheaded the effort that includes business organizations from five parishes, including: The Black Economic Development Council, GNO, Inc., Greater New Orleans Bioscience Economic Development District, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, Jefferson Business Council, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce, Northshore Business Council, Plaquemines Association of Business and Industry, and St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce.

The resolution, signed by each member of the coalition, outlines the opportunities for economic growth and expansion of the local medical and bioscience industries. The resolution calls for the accelerated development of the VAMC and the "speedy removal of any and all obstacles to the completion of this project". It also calls for the prompt development and approval of a business plan for the UMC.