Citizens of Louisiana are no strangers to natural and economic disasters. In recent years, severe storms and hurricanes, including the infamous Hurricane Katrina of 2005 (the worst natural disaster to hit the U.S. in modern times), Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Gustav resulted in significant losses to life and property.
On April 20, 2010, the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig that was situated about 40 miles southeast of the Louisiana coastline killed 11 workers; several others were injured in the tragedy. We extend our sincere condolences to those who have suffered personal losses.
The oil rig’s collapse and the subsequent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico impact not only the state’s natural resources but the livelihoods and ways of life of thousands of Louisiana residents who depend on the Gulf for employment.
Additionally the federal government’s current moratorium on deep-water drilling imposes further economic depletion. According to the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA), the continuing moratorium affects more than the 320,000 Louisianans who work jobs supported by the oil and gas industry and the 58,000 Louisianans working in extraction, refining and pipeline jobs. The economic standstill caused by the moratorium, LOGA says, affects everyone.
Full assessment of the damages—and when or if the region will completely recover—might not be known for years.
Recently, too, Northrop Grumman announced its intentions to close its Avondale, Louisiana shipyard in early 2013 after it completes work on two Navy LPD-17 amphibious assault ships. TheAvondale yard is one of the largest employers in the region. Closure of the facility will dramatically impact the region with the loss of about 5,000 direct jobs and about 6,500 indirect jobs. Two small ship yards at Tallulah and Waggaman are also planned for closure.
From oil-related industries to commercial fishing to shipbuilding, employment of thousands of people and billions of dollars in economic activity are at risk of long-term and permanent loss.
These cuts into Louisiana’s economy come at an inopportune time with the state just now recovering from Hurricane Katrina and struggling to create and retain jobs in today’s challenging economic environment.
Louisiana’s losses, however, are not isolated to the state. Damage to Louisiana’s $2.4 billion seafood industry affects food service industries and consumers from coast to coast. And the moratorium on offshore drilling will impose serious consequences for the Gulf and the nation. In a July 2010 report for the American Energy Alliance titled The Economic Cost of a Moratorium on Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration to the Gulf Region, Dr. Joseph Mason states that a significant halt to offshore exploration and drilling will result in billions of dollars in additional lost economic activity in the Gulf. He adds that the losses will not just affect upstream and downstream industries, but could also impact state and local governments, as well as small retail stores, education services, healthcare assistance, and a host of other industries.
If the moratorium continues as planned, overall energy production could be reduced. Those cuts will then translate into increases in oil and gas prices. Everyone in the country will pay more for their food, household expenses and gasoline bills. In a worse-case scenario, there could be energy blackouts and gasoline shortages.
Diversity is the key to economic recovery and survival, especially since recessionary pressures continue to push unemployment rates higher than they were a year ago and since the state remains vulnerable to natural and unanticipated manmade disasters.
While we entirelysupport the recovery of the industries harmed by the oil spill (and endeavor to facilitate the recovery), we are also proponents of more economic diversity in Louisiana. The proposed new medical school at Central Louisiana, for example, is a studied, shovel-ready strategy for creating a powerful economic engine that will not only create an expected 8,300 new well-paying, sustainable jobs but also address the serious physician shortage and health care disparity problems in the state.
We encourage your immediate support and funding of this critically important project.
For more information, please contact Dr. Jarrett Flood at 225-766-3894.
Signed:
The FICA Partnership for the Economic and Healthcare Recovery of Louisiana
Click on the link to read the latest update from the Baptist Press on the Louisiana College medical school project. The Baptist Press is a daily, international news wire service that circulates within 40 state Baptist and secular newspapers, both in print and on the internet.
Dr. Jarrett Flood, CEO/ President of Flood International Consulting agency presented a Power Point slide show on Tuesday, August 11th to Central Louisiana community leaders and State officials during an informational session held at Louisiana College. Dr. Flood detailed why the company believes Louisiana College can offer a top quality medical school and summarized the Tripp Umbach generated, Feasibility and Economic Impact Study Report.
Check out the latest news in the Alexandria Town Talk concpqasb.pqarchiver.com/thetowntalk/access/1803864561.htmlerning the development of the Louisiana College Medical school.
President of Louisiana College, Dr. Joe Aguillard browsing the Feasibility and Economic Impact Study produced by FICA and Tripp Umbach. Plans for the new Louisiana College Medical School were formally announced, Thursday, July 23rd, 2009. Click the link to an article Alexandria Town Talk concerning Louisiana College's intent to establish a new allopathic medical school.
This project will not only help alleviate the imminent physician shortage in Louisiana (according to the La. DHH, most of the state is already a health professional shortage area), it will also be a significant economic boost regionally and statewide. The feasibility study forecast an economic impact of $1.4 billion and creation of more than 8,000 new jobs.
This project is a historic, positive, and pivotal event for Louisiana health care and the state's economy.
Pineville, Louisiana ....The Louisiana College Office of the President is pleased to announce
plans to establish a medical school at Louisiana College. The decision to begin a medical school was unanimously approved yesterday by members of the Louisiana College Board of Trustees following review of a newly completed feasibility study and economic impact report. Click title to download full article in PDF format.
Each year, thousands of qualified individuals are rejected from U.S. nursing schools because U.S. colleges and universities are ill-equipped to handle the large demand of students seeking entrance to nursing schools. Experts claim that if they were to meet demand now by adding more seats, it would compromise on quality and accreditation. To make matters worse, a number of community hospitals struggle each year to provide adequate healthcare to the public because they are understaffed with nurses to care for their patients. Dr. Jarrett S. Flood is currently in talks with a number of colleges to expand opportunities for nursing in the State of Louisiana. To learn more about this program or assist in this project, please contact us today.
New Iberia's talented photographer, Stacy Judice, partners with Flood International Consulting Agency to improve marketing services. The agency offers a new website designed by Kelli Allard and improved marketing techniques for the business. Stacy Judice Photography specializes in weddings, individual portraits, landscape photography, senior portraits, family portraits, sports activities, and school functions. If you're interested in learning more about Stacy Judice's services, please visit the following website: http://www.judicephotography.com/
Fusion Health and Fitness will offer two new camp programs this year. From April 21, 2008 to May 16, 2008, Fusion will offer an outdoor boot camp program for intermediate level members. Members will be expected to sweat hard and be introduced to a number of military type exercises as seen in the Army.
In addition to the boot camp program, Fusion will also offer a summer camp program for kids. The summer camp program is expected to be offered twice this year. The first summer camp program will begin on May 26, 2008 and end on June 6, 2008. The second summer camp program will begin on June 9, 2008 and end on June 20, 2008. The summer camp is designed to improve kids' strength, speed, and agility.
Both camps will be directed by (Laie) "L" Wong a personal trainer, NGA Pro Bodybuilder, staff sergeant in the Army, and former rugby athlete. If you're interested in learning more about these great camp programs, please visit the Fusion Health and Fitness website for more details
Brightcove becomes the standard for Flood International Consulting Agency to showcase its video spots to the public. Brightcove was founded by media experts to transform the media industry, enhance distribution methods to the public, and make Internet TV mainstream. With its Internet TV platform, content owners are more empowered to distribute their content through syndication and it allows online marketers to communicate more effectively with millions of consumers worldwide. Brightcove's standard is growing fast and is used widely by respected companies like AOL, DoubleClick, Tivo, Yahoo, and the Wall Street Journal.
FICA expands into a new office complex as demand for its services grow. The complex is located in the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana right off Bluebonnet Boulevard.
FICA receives a business grant from the State of Louisiana to help improve services for the community. Dr. Flood, founder of Flood International Consulting Agency, plans to utilize the grant to expand the healthcare division of the company. The company has been working hard with politicians and local investors on a number of projects to stimulate the economy of Louisiana.
Fusion Health and Fitness, Prairieville's finest health and fitness center in Louisiana, utilizes FICA's marketing services. Fusion chose FICA because of their professionalism and cost-efficient services. FICA provided professional web development services, online marketing, and television advertisements for the business.
The critical need for medical doctors is still apparent in the United States. After hurricane Katrina damaged the city of New Orleans and other nearby cities in Louisiana, healthcare was greatly affected. Historically, the retention of physicians in Louisiana has been poor but what possible solutions can be done to overcome these problems? See comments from FICA.
Flood International Consulting Agency holds a meeting with educational consulting firms to expand and improve opportunities for clerkship training for international medical students.
The agency establishes relationships with major news organizations to provide air time spots for clients around the world. Demand grows for global marketing services.
Flood International Consulting Agency partners with International American University College of Medicine to improve marketing of its business and expand clerkship opportunities for its students.
Flood International Consulting Agency's president featured on ITV London Now. Determined to help businesses and organizations resolve issues with management and marketing.
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President of Louisiana College, Dr. Joe Aguillard browsing the Feasibility and Economic Impact Study produced by FICA and Tripp Umbach. Plans for the new Louisiana College Medical School were formally announced, Thursday, July 23rd, 2009. Click the link to an article Alexandria Town Talk concerning Louisiana College's intent to establish a new allopathic medical school..jpg)