What does it take to rebuild an economy after a disaster—and turn it into a model for long-term growth?

In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., to explore lessons learned from leading economic recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and 9/11.

Michael shares how New Orleans approached rebuilding not just infrastructure, but its entire economic foundation—balancing urgency with long-term strategy, and recovery with reinvention.

A major theme is the importance of community involvement in shaping recovery efforts. He emphasizes that post-disaster planning cannot be top-down, and that successful rebuilding requires both structure and local autonomy to respond effectively to evolving needs.

The conversation also highlights how New Orleans has leveraged innovation, incentives, and workforce development to reposition itself for future growth—particularly in emerging sectors like tech and innovation.

A key takeaway? Economic recovery is not just about rebuilding what was lost—it's about designing something stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient.

Key Takeaways

Post-disaster recovery requires both structure and local autonomy
Community involvement is essential in rebuilding efforts
Incentives must balance short-term recovery with long-term value
Workforce development is critical to economic resilience
Innovation is playing a growing role in New Orleans' economic shift
Strong leadership is key to navigating complex recovery environments

Key Topics Covered

Post-disaster economic recovery strategies
Lessons from Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 recovery efforts
Community involvement in economic planning
Workforce development and skills alignment
Incentive design for sustainable growth
Leadership approaches in crisis and recovery

Sound Bites

"You can't plan top down post disaster."
"Create structure but give autonomy."
"Stay proactive and avoid complacency."