Our History

The St. Bernard Economic Development Commission, like many similar organizations throughout the Gulf South, was built as a necessary response to overcoming the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina.

Almost the entire Parish was flooded and destroyed, showing no mercy in the destruction of our Parish’s homes, grocery stores, parks, and livelihoods. Yet, due to the collaborative strategy of the St. Bernard Parish Planning Department and the now St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF), the parish was able to secure $200,000 of funding to help bring back our businesses and community.

Now, with a population climbing closer toward pre-Katrina levels, commercial and residential investment coming in at an unprecedented rate, and attractive development throughout our community, SBEDF continues to drive opportunity and quality of life from Arabi to the coast. Our work with government partners, local businesses, educators, and most importantly, our great residents of St. Bernard, continues to ensure the future of our great Parish is one we can all be excited about.

 

SBEDF Timeline

 

  • 2005

    The St. Bernard Economic Development Commission (SBEDCO) is formed in response to Hurricane Katrina.

  • 2006-2009

    SBEDCO works with the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and local government to provide direct assistance to the people of St. Bernard through residential development strategy, financial guidance, and resources for getting businesses off the ground in the Parish.

  • 2010

    Working on the Water (WOW), is founded to guide the maritime industry in the area following the Deepwater-BP Oil Spill.

  • 2011

    SBEDF, as it is now known, serves as the fiscal agent in receiving a $200,000 federal grant for the region to stimulate economic recovery for commercial fisheries and related entities from the BP Oil Spill.

  • 2012

    St. Bernard Parish Hospital opens, exhibiting the turnaround the area has undergone in just 7 years from Katrina.

  • 2015

    In partnership with the Meraux Foundation, SBEDF launches Startup St. Bernard, a pitch competition for local startups with cash prizes, with immense success.

  • 2016

    The EDF rebrands with a brand new website full of local resources to better serve the St. Bernard community.

  • 2017

    A banner year: SBEDF and the St. Bernard Parish Government (SBPG) develop “Film St. Bernard” a local incentive to stimulate the area’s entertainment industry, Shop Small becomes a week-long campaign dedicated to the small businesses of St. Bernard, and SBEDF and the St. Bernard Chamber pilot Grow St. Bernard to provide leadership development from around Greater New Orleans for small business owners.

  • 2018

    4 years into SBEDF and SBPG’s Office of Community Development partnering on Sold on St. Bernard, St. Bernard Parish is named the 6th fastest growing small county/parish in the United States, according to Census data.

  • 2019

    SBEDF united with Nunez Community College to establish a direct pipeline from their Aerospace Manufacturing Technology program to NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility.

  • 2020

    SBEDF launches its new website, complete with an interactive investment map, Opportunity Zones map, revamped site selection tool, and a new incentives overview page highlighting the parish as a great place to work, live and invest.

  • 2021

    SBEDF kicks off the first-ever Small Business Matters Summit and facilitates St. Bernard Parish's recognition as the state's 48th Development Ready Community.

  • 2022

    Corporate attraction and expansion efforts resulted in over $1.8B in business development over the course of the year. SBEDF was also able to harness over $2.5M in grant opportunities to help the infrasturcutre in St. Bernard.

As we look forward, continuing our momentum is not without challenges. The support of our private partners is absolutely pivotal in our ability to accomplish our mission and expand our impact.