I too worked on Second Wind, the small business initiative. I spent all week talking to business owners, hearing their stories, encouraging them to stand together as a community in a time of need. Toward the end of the week, we canvassed the French Quarter, where businesses were open for the most part, albeit experiencing low levels of activity. At that point in the project, I felt somewhat removed from SHN\'s relief work. However, as I read over my notes from the beginning of the week, I am reminded of why the Second Wind project is so important.\r\n\r\nOn the first day of the project, we met with Marianne Lewis, a small business owner in the French Quarter who is spearheading Second Wind. She split up the city into districts for us, so that we had an organized method for canvassing small businesses. That afternoon, we began work on South Carrollton, a big street that runs through several neighborhoods which seem to have suffered a great deal of property damage. While walking through the residentail areas to get to the commercial blocks, we could see water marks on houses indicating that water rose well above the height of a tall person. Markings made by rescue crews remain on the facades of the houses and many of the houses still look uninhabitable. FEMA trailers stand parked in front of many homes and in \"trailer cities\", temporary trailer parks. In the following days, I saw varying levels of damage to personal property - ranging from neighborhoods that seemed almost unaffected by the hurricanes and flooding, to neighborhoods resembling war zones.\r\n\r\nAs for businesses in the city, the feeling is that many small business have just reopened, or are still in the midst of reopening. Local business have experienced various levels of devesation. Others have lost of their property, others have suffered mild to severe property damage, while others still sufffered no property damage. However, almost all small businesses have suffered a devestating drop in business activity and are facing financial problems. Many of the concerns I heard were of disputes with insurance companies, rejection for small business loans, loss of employees or high employee turnover and inability to pay bills.\r\n\r\nI was surprised to hear that some businesses were experiencing more business activity than before Hurricane Katrina. Even so, given that New Orleans is a primarily small business city, the livelihood of each individual business in the long run depends on the overall economic health of the city. If small business owners are unable to secure loans or federal grants, they will eventually have to shut down. This will ultimately cause others to lose their clientele, who are often other small businesses. For example, a copy shop in the area has been doing well post-Katrina once businesses starting reopening. However, as most of itsbusiness comes from businesses rather than individuals, its success heavily depends on the health of its business neighbors.\r\n\r\nSpeaking to business owners and managers helped me put a face to the bodies residing in FEMA trailers and temporary housing. I am convinced that the people of New Orleans aren\'t only looking for housing help and legal defense. While those things are tremendously important, the people of New Orleans ultimately wish to regain their livelihood and re-energize their city.\r\n\r\nGiven the fact that the federal government has allocated over $5 Billion (yes BILLION) to small businesses in New Orleans, it is absolutely ridiculous that as of yet, there is not even a plan for distributing this money. Considering how much tourism has fallen (I heard a figure of 80%), time is of the essence for distributing these grants. Second Wind is putting together a grant proposal to give to the federal government. These business owners pay taxes - as business owners and as individuals. It\'s not a matter of charity; it\'s about time these people got something for their tax money.\r\n\r\nOriginally posted: http://bls-shn.blogspot.com/2006/03/give-them-what-theyre-due.html