[MarignyBywater] Support for Local Businesses

[Geoff Coats]

Arnie Fielkow is urging grants for small business. The story is on  
C-12 of today's Times-Picayune.

This is a refreshing change from what we have been hearing from City  
Hall, namely encouraging national "big box" retailers to come into  
Orleans Parish while leaving small business owners out in the cold.

As Fielkow points out: after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001,  
more than $700 million in grants were distributed in New York City  
"to virtually the same number of small businesses impacted here:  
18,000. We should aspire to that level of intervention."

I think we should encourage neighbors and especially business owners  
to call or write with messages of thanks and support to Fielkow's  
office. Politicians get lots of negative feedback. We shouldn't miss  
opportunities to provide them with positive feedback for something we  
suport. Everyone likes to feel good.

Small businesses need help and are critical to the City's recovery,  
so please consider contacting Fielkow's office to express your support.

Also, don't forget to support locally-owned businesses this holiday  
season. Visit http://www.staylocal.org for a searchable database of  
locally-owned businesses -- search by type of business, name of  
business, zip code, or product you are looking for! While you are  
there you can sign the holiday pledge and let the city know that you  
are committed to shopping at locally-owned businesses this holiday  
season (http://staylocal.org/pledge/2006).

If you are a locally-owned business, artist, craftsperson, musician,  
etc. you can add your business for free at: http://staylocal.org/add/

Best,
Geoff

Geoff Coats
Principal
The Urban Conservancy
5030 S. Liberty
New Orleans, LA 70115
504.617.6618
http://www.urbanconservancy.org


Hope has two beautiful daughters: anger and courage;
anger at the way things are, and courage to change them.
- Saint Augustine


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