I remember balking a few years ago at the huge tax relief given to Harrah's buy the city and state. Everyone knows that the house always wins so why would they be exempt from so much in taxes? Over the past year and half though, Harrah's has renewed its commitment to New Orleans by hosting first responders after the storm and getting back in business soon after. Then Harrah's went one step further by opening a 450 room hotel downtown, encouraging more people to spend their time and money in New Orleans. Not to mention, their "Fulton Street" revitalization looks cleaner than anywhere else in the city.

Hopefully other local businesses can take see the work done by this casino giant as inspirational. Additionally, it could encourage other corporations to move in. I understand that it's in our best interest to have a varied economy but if we are making the best money from the tourist dollar then why buck the system?