By Dan S. Borné
Article originally from American Chemistry magazine.

KatRita is what I call them. It is impossible for me to think of these storms as two discrete points in history. Taken individually—they were both terrible. Together—they were exponentially horrific. They run together in my mind like a month-long nightmare, punctuated only by a brief respite between them that seemed to promise some semblance of calm.

Unfortunately, nature would not have it that way.

The devastation that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita released upon Louisiana and the gulf coast regions will be documented for some time, as thousands attempt to rebuild their lives and their communities.

Consider that some 250,000 homes are rendered uninhabitable. Tens of thousands of families are displaced, including more than 200,000 children, and 73,000 college students. The economy and infrastructure will feel the effects for years, not to mention the very life of one of this country’s most important cities—New Orleans—a major port and hub of the nation’s chemical industry, lies in ruins.

Katrina alone impacted a $50 billion segment of the chemical industry. More than 50 chemical plants were severely damaged. In addition to damage from wind and water, some lost electrical and natural gas supplies for days, and others for weeks. Many of the vendors, suppliers, and contractors that do business with the industry are still inoperable. Many chemical industry employees whose homes have been destroyed have been displaced.

The safety and well being of our employees, their families, and their neighbors continues to be our priority. I am happy to say that all of our employees who work in the industry have been accounted for and most have returned to work, helping to re-start their facilities and re-build their communities. Many of our plants provided temporary housing, food, generators, tarps, and other necessities, making it possible for employees and families to begin rebuilding their lives.

Today, as chemical plants and manufacturing facilities slowly restore operations and the industry begins to assess workforce needs—both short-and long-term—there is concern that Katrina and Rita will put some strain on the contractor labor pool. An already limited supply of industrial construction workers and a shortage of skilled craftsman are a primary concern for our industry. Some major capital projects at certain facilities may be delayed because there are simply not enough workers to fill the jobs that will be needed.

Nonetheless, we take great pride in the fact the products we make continue to play a vital role in protecting public health, saving lives, restoring homes, schools, hospitals, and rebuilding businesses. Vinyl sheeting, water disinfectants, food packaging, medical supplies, and building materials, are just some of the products we are providing to these industries in their time of need.

Our contribution to the rebuilding efforts does not stop there. Millions of dollars have already been given by individual companies and their employees to support these efforts. Contributions to organizations such as the American Red Cross, United Way, and to neighboring cities and towns, have been pouring in on a steady basis. Countless hours of employee volunteer time and support at shelters and centers of refuge have been documented.

Louisiana has been good to the chemical industry, and it is our promise to give back to the community by doing all that we can to help. What we, as an industry do in the next few months, will determine how quickly and how successfully Louisiana recovers. As the state’s largest employer in the manufacturing sector, and a major contributor to the state’s coffers, we fully realize that our industry’s positive response is essential to Louisiana’s future.

The Louisiana Chemical Association (LCA) represents some 70 companies at over 90 plant locations in the state. Suppliers and contractors that provide goods and services to these plants represent 600 Louisiana Chemical Industry Alliance (LCIA) members. Many LCA facilities were up and running within days. Thankfully, there was virtually no leakage of toxic materials—a tribute to the skill, commitment, and tireless dedication of thousands of engineers, technicians, and managers. Although the industry is well on its way to recovery, the industry continues to face serious challenges and is regularly confronted with issues that are affecting the way we do business and the cost of doing such business.

All of this has given our industry’s leadership a chance to take a closer look at the business of chemistry in Louisiana, and to focus on the benefits, and importance of our industry to our community, state, and nation.

Many lessons have been learned, needs have been assessed, and new priorities have emerged. Some of these include:

• Developing energy policies that will help the Louisiana chemical industry remain competitive in a global market.
• Improving critical infrastructure.
• Providing skilled and properly trained workforce.
• Enabling faster access to funding and training opportunities.

Addressing these priorities is critical to our sustainability as an industry and to the economic rebirth of our state.

Plans for joint industry efforts with the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Environmental Quality, to progressively move Louisiana forward in permitting technology and promoting industry environmental progress, are just part of this response. We will also work with state and federal authorities in many other areas to address the critical needs of our communities.

Long before Katrina and Rita, LCA had a plan—the Eight Point Plan, which is our industry’s blueprint to remain globally competitive. Despite, the hurricane damage, this plan has not changed, however, there is now a far greater sense of urgency in making the plan a reality. The devastation from the hurricanes has proven that our blueprint is on target in its purpose for dealing with energy, infrastructure, governmental taxation, workforce development, and other impediments to our competitiveness.

The chemical industry and our state will recover and rebuild, but we owe it to the thousands of Louisiana citizens who have lost their homes, businesses, and their way of life, to build a state that is more business friendly, globally competitive and economically stable. We have an opportunity now to build a better Louisiana for all.

Louisiana citizens are proud of the enormous contributions our people and industries have made over the years to this nation’s history, its culture, its economy, and—now more than ever—its national security.

The challenge before us remains immense, but let no one doubt our resilience, our determination or our capability. Come what may, we will prevail.

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