Gulf Firms Losing Cleanup Contracts

[AnnInLa]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100301691.html


Gulf Firms Losing Cleanup Contracts
Most Money Going Outside Storm's Path

By Griff Witte, Renae Merle and Derek Willis
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, October 4, 2005; Page D01

Companies outside the three states most affected by Hurricane Katrina have received more than 90 percent of the money from prime federal contracts for recovery and reconstruction of the Gulf Coast, according to an analysis of available government data.

The analysis by The Washington Post takes into account only the first wave of federal contracts, those that had been entered in detail into government databases as of yesterday. Together they are valued at more than $2 billion. Congress has allocated more than $60 billion for the recovery effort, and the ultimate total is expected to rise far higher.






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But already the trend toward out-of-state firms is clear, despite pledges by administration officials that federal funds for Katrina relief will become an engine of local economic redevelopment. Among the contracts analyzed, 3.8 percent of the money went to companies that listed an Alabama address, 2.8 percent to firms in Louisiana and just 1.8 percent went for Mississippi contractors. Taken together, that amounts to less than $200 million.

The lack of contracts for firms in the devastated area has angered local political and business leaders who say they fear that even with the massive commitment of federal money, the region's recovery will be stymied if funds primarily flow into the pockets of large, out-of-state corporations. It has also raised the ire of small-business advocates, who say the government has tilted the playing field against the companies that most desperately need the work.


much, much more at link above

[izzie]

1. What a mess this endless greed is making of this country.

I guess it is the Tea Pot Dome era all over. Greed, no-nothing friends, and who knows what contracts.It will be years to clean this up if we ever can. heck we paid for years on the saving and loans pigs. And we vote these people in to office.:freak:

[ClintonTyree]

2. I wonder what the percentage is for........

companies from Texas? :) I'm betting that Texas firms along with Halliburton, KBR etc. are doing extremely well.