The LTCR team in Calcasieu Parish has been busy conducting community outreach activities since mid-November:

? December Town Hall I public meetings were held at 7 locations within the parish with over 200 people in attendance.

? The LTRC Storefront, a one-stop recovery information center, opened (first in LA) at 319 Broad St. in downtown Lake Charles

? 3 rounds of meetings have been held for the 7 LTCR Work/Focus Groups. Using the Town Hall I public comments, the Work Groups are developing with the Steering Committee, the Calcasieu Parish Draft LTCR Plan that includes a vision, guiding principles, needs/issues, goals, action/strategies, and projects list.

? The community is now preparing for the LA Open House (Jan. 21) and the Town Hall II public meetings (Feb. 6&7) to review the Draft LTCR Plan and prioritize its recovery action strategies.

Results so far indicate that Calcasieu is having some progress dealing with a housing shortage (at least 25% of its housing stock suffering major damage), major debris removal issues; and a damaged airport terminal, college, and Civic Center. While the parish was shut down 2 weeks post-Rita, most schools, hospitals, and plants are now operational, and the parish is open for business despite considerable hurricane and flood damage.