September 26, 2023 | From City of New Orleans
City of New Orleans Highlights its Diverse Business and Economic Base, Unveils Educational NASA Display in Louis Armstrong International Airport
NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today was joined by Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Michoud Assembly Facility Lionel Dutreix, New Orleans Aviation Board Chair Judge Michael Bagneris, as well as representatives from the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA), Greater New Orleans, Incorporated (GNO Inc.), New Orleans and Company and the Office of Congressman Troy Carter to unveil a new educational display in a prominent location at MSY highlighting NASA’s presence at the City’s Michoud Assembly Facility located in New Orleans East and overall highlighting the city’s diverse business and economic base.
“The NASA Michoud Assembly Facility is the nation’s rocket factory, and it is time that we showcase and embrace that,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "Every rocket that has launched a human from U.S. soil into deep space exploration in the last 60 years, including Artemis I, which successfully launched last November, has been built right here in our backyard, and it is important that we share the story of New Orleans’ dynamism as we continue to be a leader in the commercial aerospace industry – as well as other sectors, such as the energy transition. With the unveiling of this precursor to a larger initiative at Louis Armstrong International Airport, it shows the millions of visitors that travel through MSY that New Orleans is more than tourism – advanced manufacturing, coupled with innovative partnerships like NASA Michoud, really are our future.”
Mayor Cantrell, alongside the Office of Economic Development, NOLABA, New Orleans and Co. and GNO Inc. have worked diligently with partners at MSY and NASA to bring an educational display to the Louis Armstrong International Airport to highlight the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility. NASA has been located in New Orleans since 1940, and the Michoud Assembly Facility is considered the rocket manufacturer of country.
“For 62 years, NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility has played a critical role in all of the agency’s human spaceflight missions,” said Dutreix. “Our multi-generational workforce has supported NASA missions from Apollo to the Space Shuttle program, and now Artemis, which will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. We also provide 3,100 jobs, generate an economic impact of more than $800 million nationally, including $600 million in Louisiana and Mississippi, and proudly partner with the local community to inspire the next generation of space explorers.”
“The Louis Armstrong International Airport proudly welcomes up to 40,000 travelers into the terminal each day, which makes this a great location to educate our passengers on the business and economic achievements of our region," said Judge Bagneris. "It has always been a source of pride to have NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility right here in our backyard, and now they are represented at the front door to our city.”
The Cantrell Administration continues to work to tell the unique story of New Orleans and its diverse business and economic base, as the city is well positioned to lead the country’s energy transition and develop the next great bioscience breakthrough. The City of New Orleans is committed to leveraging the NASA Michoud Assembly Center to develop the Louisiana Space Campus. This state-of-the-art campus will attract additional private-sector tenants in aerospace and advanced manufacturing and create a permanent home for the tornado-damaged National Finance Center.
“NOLABA is very excited that NASA’s local economic impact is being showcased in the airport, driving awareness of continued advanced manufacturing development in New Orleans,” said Interim President/CEO of NOLABA Louis David. “NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility has been an industry anchor and major job creator in New Orleans East for over 60 years. With continued investment in the area, including the Propel Park industrial park, NOLABA will continue to work with our economic partners to highlight New Orleans East’s development momentum.”
“Since 1961, the rockets manufactured at NASA’s Michoud facility have played a pivotal role in driving the New Orleans economy and mankind’s exploration of outer space,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of GNO, Inc. “This display will educate the millions of visitors to our city each year on the role that New Orleans has played in these advancements, including future missions that will bring the first woman and person of color to the moon, and eventually Mars. Moreover, it highlights the caliber of our region’s higher education institutions which have ensured that Louisiana residents keep up with the training needed to develop these modern marvels.”
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