Ex-Pat Contributions Push The Idea Village Business Relief Fund Over $300K

For Immediate Release
December 23, 2005

(New Orleans) – Today The Idea Village announced that it had raised more than $300,000 for its IV Business Relief Fund, an emergency grant program for qualified small businesses and entrepreneurs.  The lead sponsor for this round of relief grants is the London-based E D & F Man Company.  Whit Huguley, an executive with the company’s New Orleans based subsidiary, Westway Holdings Corporation, said “New Orleans is an international treasure, and our many customers, suppliers and affiliated companies from around the world know that better than most and is the reason we attribute such strong support to the E D & F Man Katrina Relief Fund.  Entrepreneurs will lead New Orleans back, which is why we are supporting small businesses as an essential ingredient to New Orleans’ recovery.”

“We topped $300,000 and distributed another $50,000 in relief grants today, ending the year on a high note in the economic recovery of this community,” said Tim Williamson, President of The Idea Village.  “This fund is a great way for expatriates and displaced New Orleanians to help get the city back on its feet.  In 2006 we will take our story on the road to Atlanta, Dallas and other cities with a high concentration of expatriates to raise additional money and to locate other resources for New Orleans small businesses.”

The recipients of The IV Business Relief grants are: 
Michael Murphy, Michael Murphy Productions; Kathy Koehl, Culinary Institute of New Orleans; Woodrow Wilson, Gulf South Animated Motion Technologies; Andrew Herrington, New Line Environmental Systems, LLC; Willie Mae Seaton, Willie Mae’s Scotch House.

Kathy Koehl of The Culinary Institute of New Orleans, currently the only operating culinary school in New Orleans, said “We at The Culinary Institute are proud to be a vital part of New Orleans’ recovery and believe that our future grows brighter as we emphasize the importance of quality education in our community.”  Michael Murphy of Michael Murphy Productions added, “The Idea Village recognizes that artists, musicians, and small business entrepreneurs are an important part of the city of New Orleans, and a crucial element in its recovery from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.”

To apply for future grants, businesses may go to www.ideavillage.org and fill out the form under Katrina Update.  Over $300,000 has been raised with cash grants provided to over 80 affected businesses through The Idea Village Business Relief Fund since Hurricane Katrina.

About The Idea Village
The Idea Village, an independent 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to supporting entrepreneurial ventures in the region, recently established The Idea Village Business Relief Fund, an emergency grant-making program for qualified small businesses.  Companies, foundations and individuals have donated relief dollars to sponsored funds and work with The Idea Village to define criteria for the fund allocations.  Since its formal inception in 2002, The Idea Village has become the primary driver for entrepreneurship in New Orleans, supported by more than 300 individuals, corporations, local foundations, Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Greater New Orleans, Inc., the City of New Orleans, and the State of Louisiana.