State money for Michoud on hold

A project that won a commitment of state dollars is now in a "holding pattern" because of the uncertainty of federal support. Louisiana allocated $102 million to help Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans transition from making external fuel tanks for the space shuttle to helping with NASA's Constellation program. President Obama's 2011 budget proposal canceled Constellation, so the state put an "informal hold" on the remaining $46 million for Michoud, according to Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret. On another matter, Moret told legislators his agency is shifting resources from out-of-state recruiting to retaining existing businesses and helping them expand. He said the business-retention program has proven popular. (Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune, 03/04/10)