Microsoft To Donate $1.7M To Gulf Region
02/27/07 -- Joe Lewis Hurricane Katrina
devastated several states along the Gulf Coast region in what turned out to be
one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Eighteen months last,
the
affected areas still find themselves struggling to rebuild their respective
communities and
revitalize their local economies.
In an attempt to give these areas a helping hand, Microsoft announced today its
intention to
donate $1.7 million in cash, software and specialized curriculum to nonprofit
partners in
Louisiana and Texas.
Microsoft will support existing local government, academic and nonprofit
organizations as
they attempt to rebuild infrastructure, technology and work-force training
centers in order to
help displaced residents obtain useful technological skills geared to help them
launch new
careers and lives in the wake of the disaster that the Hurricane left behind.
Ballmer and Xavier University president Norman Francis made the announcement at
the
Jefferson County Workforce Center — a work-force training and resource center
for New
Orleans residents, supported in part by Delgado Community College.
“In a post-Katrina world, retaining and rebuilding a skilled work force is
critical to the future
of the Gulf Coast economy,” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said. “Microsoft is
committed
to working with our Gulf Coast partners to help expand opportunity for people
and
businesses throughout this fantastic region.”
“Public-private partnerships such as that between Microsoft and the communities
of
Louisiana are prime examples of what can be done to move our state forward and
to make
Louisiana even more competitive as we recover from hurricanes Katrina and Rita,”
said
U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu.
“I thank Microsoft for its help with this innovative initiative. Its
technological expertise will
provide important tools for our recovery and will help our workers — young and
old alike —
develop the skills they need to gain employment in the growth industries of the
future.”
