Measuring Recovery

In the 10 years since hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated communities across the Gulf Coast, the state of Louisiana has undertaken the largest rebuilding effort in American history. Following the storms, the state lost hundreds of thousands of housing units, saw unparalleled infrastructure damage and suffered widespread business disruption. Over the past decade, billions of dollars have been invested across the state to bring back housing that is safer and stronger, to rebuild and strengthen community infrastructure, and to support struggling small businesses, all in communities that are more resilient and better prepared. While the recovery effort continues, Louisiana officials tasked researchers from Louisiana State University with analyzing these investments and programs, in hopes of quantifying the economic impact on our state.