New Orleans, with its unique opportunity to restructure its economy in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, is embracing the cutting-edge industries that rely on highly-committed, enthusiastic thinkers who are ready to move past brick and mortar. These industries (Digital Media, Arts-based businesses, and the Biosciences) are at the frontier of the new American economy, and companies in this industry are uniquely equipped to serve their customers from anywhere in the world using digital communication. This versatile new economy is perfect for a versatile “new” New Orleans.
The Downtown Development District of New Orleans (DDD) refers to these and related emerging economic sectors as Industries of the Mind. This characterization includes intellectually diverse companies and workforces in the fields described above-Digital Media, Arts-based businesses, and the Biosciences. These broad categories include industries such as interactive video design, digital entertainment design, film & video production, live music & theatre production, film scoring & musical production, and fine/visual art production, exhibition & distribution.
Through special projects and investments in these burgeoning industries, the DDD is working every day to attract this “Creative Class” workforce and industries to Downtown New Orleans, where amenities and lifestyle abound. With our architecture and natural beauty, density of amenities, cultural richness, social networks, tolerance, and easy access to entertainment and recreation, Downtown New Orleans is becoming the place to live in the Crescent City. We want to get the bright young stars of this country to our city, where they can get to work developing our economy and making us a city secure for the future.
This emerging generation of workers has the smarts and the confidence to get a job, but have increasingly decided that corporate America does not fit their needs. They choose to balance life and work, and are often able to create their own jobs to accomplish the lifestyle they want. New Orleans, with its blend of history, culture, arts, architecture and cuisine is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this desire.
Join us in New Orleans, and let’s shape a new economy for the Crescent City.
BioMedical
In partnership with leaders in health and science innovation in the New Orleans region, the Downtown Development District is building on the strengths of knowledge institutions such as Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Xavier University, and Delgado Community College Charity School of Nursing, with a regional initiative to grow the bioscience industry by way of urban place redevelopment. In doing so, the areas of research and technology, business entrepreneurship, and the knowledge workforce will see significant growth, and will support physical development in the forms of planning, financing and management, as well as land and infrastructure changes with real estate projects.
Digital Media
The term “Digital Media” is a loosely defined sector that generally encompasses a range of technology and entertainment businesses, such as computer animation and video gaming. The New Orleans region, and Downtown in particular, could soon become a world leader in digital and new media, with the spawning of a Digital Media Alliance in late 2008, and the increase in industry-leading financial incentives such as the Digital Interactive Media/Motion Picture/Sound Recording Tax Credit, which offers interactive digital media companies, such as videogame developers, up to a 20% tax credit against expenditures in Louisiana. Groups like the DDD, GNO Inc., the Louisiana Technology Council, Idea Village, Arts Council of New Orleans, and the Louisiana Economic Development Department (LED) have brought together great minds and talent in an effort to make New Orleans a world leader in digital and new media.
Arts
Music, food, architecture, fine arts… they define New Orleans’ cultural economy and have made New Orleans the international cultural destination that it is today. Downtown is home to many of the city’s great jazz landmarks, fine dining restaurants, famous artists, stunning galleries, inspiring studios and grand theaters.
