Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
BEA will estimate hurricane costs not captured by regular source data as part of the 3rd quarter GDP and other indicators for August and September.

Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
BIS will utilize the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), as needed, to prioritize procurement of goods and services for the restoration effort--temporary housing and plastic sheeting are likely major requirements.

Economic Development Administration (EDA)
EDA is coordinating with FEMA and identifying resources to deploy. Up to $7 million in FY 2005 funds could be deployed to build new/improved infrastructure to aid in economic recovery.

EDA is also reviewing economic development recovery plans from previous disasters (9-11 and Hurricane Andrew) in anticipation of a similar effort for Hurricane Katrina.

International Trade Administration (ITA)
The Department of Commerce, working in conjuction with the Department of Homeland Security, the White House and other agencies invoved in the relief and rebuilding effort, has launched a Hurricane Relief Call Center for the business community. (1-888-4USADOC or 1-888-487-2362).

The Call Center will serve as a government point of contact to shepherd all corporate generosity to where it's needed most. (press release)

Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
MBDA has redirected some of its funds to an existing Minority Business Development Center (MBDC) in Houston, Texas.  These funds will allow the Houston MBDC to hire additional business development specialists to provide direct, on-the-ground assistance to minority business owners in the impacted areas of New Orleans, Louisiana and those temporarily relocated to Houston, Texas.

MBDA has created a reconstruction registry on its website (www.mbda.gov/katrina/) to identify minority business enterprises capable of participating in the reconstruction effort in the areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
NIST is working with FEMA to lend its technical expertise from the Building and Fire Research Laboratory to assess structural damage and provide assistance.

NIST's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) will review the impact of the hurricane on small manufacturers in those areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama affected by the storm.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Three NOAA Navigation Response Teams are deployed to survey priority channel and port locations. The survey products produced by these teams will help determine when ports can be reopened.

The NOAA Contract Ship Davidson has commenced survey operations in areas south of New Orleans that are critical to the reopening of the port.

The NOAA Hydrographic Survey Vessel Thomas Jefferson is in transit from Norfolk. The vessel will produce updated nautical charts for impacted regions, revealing navigation hazards that could impact transit and commerce.

Products from NOAA aerial surveys (digital photography) of impacted coastal areas are available on the Internet.

NOAA will be working to determine the impacts of the storm on living marine resources, including commercial and recreational fisheries that are economically important to the region. NOAA efforts to work with local communities to restore coastal wetlands that are important both ecologically and economically will also continue as soon as it is feasible.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service will determine the storm’s impact on the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fleet, oyster industry, and other important fisheries.

NOAA is currently examining federal fishery regulations in the Gulf of Mexico for potential management options to ease the regulatory burden on commercial and recreational fishermen, while continuing to protect the marine resources. NOAA will also complete an assessment of the storm's impacts on habitat and fishery resources in the Gulf.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

NTIA is providing radio spectrum support to federal relief agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. Through its Public Telecommunications Facilities Program, NTIA is offering technical assistance to public television and radio stations harmed by the disaster. In addition, NTIA awarded an emergency grant to the Louisiana Educational Television Authority to replace a damaged transmitter.