The following statement is attributable to Walt Leger III, President and CEO of New Orleans & Company:

“Today’s State Bond Commission approval of the Omni headquarters hotel development at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is an important step forward for New Orleans and for Louisiana’s economy. A headquarters hotel connected to the Convention Center will strengthen our ability to compete for major meetings, conventions and events that generate tax revenue, support jobs and bring economic activity to businesses throughout our city and state.

Meeting planners have consistently told us that a headquarters hotel is an important piece of the infrastructure New Orleans needs to remain a leading destination for meetings, conventions and events. Cities across the country continue to invest aggressively in their convention districts, hotels and visitor infrastructure, and this project will strengthen New Orleans’ ability to compete.

The Omni project represents a significant private investment in our future and strengthens one of Louisiana’s most important economic engines. New Orleans & Company strongly supports this project and the opportunity it creates to attract more business, more visitors and more economic opportunity to Louisiana.”