Let me make one point about the future of NOLA clear. In order for us to have a meaningful future, we must come to grips with economic reality and must throw open our arms to business attraction.

OK, I have said that a million times, but the current discussions about data centers highlight the problem we have. In this case as in others when ideology is held above prosperity, when small but loud fringe groups swamp the silent voices of business and civic leaders, we all lose.

Aside from the fact that for decades we have had numerous data centers in the region and that, especially in the East, we have large tracts of land available, I doubt that any mega data center developers would want to buck the political headwinds that hamper our growth. But that is not the issue.

If we are to compete for prosperity creating economic growth, we must be known as a city that is open to any business proposal. Instead of an ideological blanket condemnation of data centers or any other business activity, we must send the message that we are open to being supportive of any project on a case-by-case basis. If someone wants to develop a data center here, one that is self-supporting and doesn’t impact negatively our resources or neighborhoods, then we should welcome them, not frighten them off because small groups of political activists have the ear of our leaders.

There are widely known impediments to our own best interests. We are known as a city that is over-regulated, that is dominated by fringe politics, that is a Judicial Hellhole, that is corrupt and crime ridden, that it is subject to failing infrastructure, and so on. Now we can add to that list a message that is devastating, that New Orleans, under the sway of anti-capitalist and anti-growth groups, has without a fair discussion on an individual basis made a blanket judgement to close its doors to politically unfavored business development.

Unfortunately, our people have been blind to the fact that these issues are the negative results of a political philosophy that is mis-aligned with the American economic system. After years of political leaders promising “protection” from the evils of imaginary greedy business, our policies have literally destroyed the prosperity of our own people and have resulted in out-migration of our best and brightest as they pursue a better quality of life elsewhere.

But really, why should any citizen actually care if businesses make profits in our city. All that means is that we individuals by participating in that growth finally have been given the opportunity to prosper.

By making blanket condemnation of one of the strongest business sectors in history thereby confirming the widely held beliefs that New Orleans is not business friendly, our leaders should make the statement that we are prepared to work with business so that any project would be given a fair opportunity to operate here. A decision based upon on finding mutual compatibility, not shut down by harmful ideology.

Whether anyone would want to bring a data center here is not the point. Telling the world that we are open to any development that is mutually beneficial is the message.