St. Bernard Parish is Louisiana’s fastest-growing parish, and SBEDF is leading the way.
What We Do
Our mission is to retain and create jobs, build prosperity, and improve the quality of life for St. Bernard citizens. Our goals are ambitious, our vision is transformative, and our efforts are a catalyst for economic growth in our community.
Our Programs
We focus our efforts on job and wealth creation for the people of St. Bernard Parish. The more high-wage jobs and wealth-creating companies in St. Bernard Parish, the better the quality of life and the greater career opportunities for members of our community.
“SBEDF tackles the barriers to doing business head-on, ensuring that the business climate is competitive for new and existing companies alike.”
— Sean Warner, SBEDF Past Chairman
Our Investors
The support of our private partners is absolutely pivotal in our ability to accomplish our mission and expand our impact.
SBEDF News & Announcements
The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is thrilled to announce that Natural Wellness with Nurse April has taken home the grand prize in the 10th annual Startup St. Bernard pitch competition.
he St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation is presenting the 10th annual Startup St. Bernard on August 22, 2024, at the brand-new Student Testing and Career Counseling Center at Nunez Community College.
St. Bernard Parish is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Louisiana Economic Development (LED) to support the implementation of strategic goals outlined in the Louisiana Development Ready Community plan.
St. Bernard Parish and St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) are observing National Economic Development Week from May 6-10, recognizing the significant impact of positive economic development in our local community.
Earlier this year, the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) was invited by the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) to pitch its vision for a more resilient St. Bernard while competing in GNOF’s Next 100 Years Challenge.
Entergy Louisiana has implemented a new substation and transmission lines in St. Bernard Parish, resulting in a more dependable and resilient electrical system for customers.
SSE Steel Fabrication announced it is expanding its St. Bernard Parish facility with the addition of technology designed to enhance overall productivity and efficiency while creating new jobs.
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) has released its 2022 Annual Review highlighting a year of remarkable achievements and continued growth for the St. Bernard Parish business community.
United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) announced Monday the launch of its Thriving African-American Small Business Initiative designed to help boost the profit potential of Black-owned businesses in greater New Orleans.
The Regional Planning Commission (RPC), in partnership with St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF), was recently awarded a $500k Brownfield Assessment Grant from the EPA to support economic development in St. Bernard Parish.
The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is proud to announce the 2nd annual Small Business Matters Summit. This year’s event will include a lineup of diverse topics focused on small business owners and employees looking to utilize opportunities for advancement.
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation donated $10,000 to businesses in Arabi that were affected by the tornado that left a trail of destruction on March 22nd of this year.
We have a winner! Startup St. Bernard is made possible with the generous support of sponsors who contribute cash and in-kind services to help the winners take their business to the next level.
The St. Bernard Parish Film Incentive Review Board (FIRB) recently approved the first-ever full rebate of $150,000 to the production “Your Honor” by Danni Productions, LLC, following an extensive review of the production’s application, audit of St. Bernard expenses, and expenditure ledger. The rebate of $150,000 is based upon 3.5% of local qualifying expenses of $4,681,114.
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to St. Bernard Parish Government (SBPG) to build a road to connect the St. Bernard Port, Harbor, and Terminal District and a local highway.
The Meraux Foundation and St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation are presenting the 8th annual Startup St. Bernard on August 4th at The Meraux Foundation’s Docville Farm. The live event, which is free to attend, is a “Shark Tank” style pitch competition, where three entrepreneurs will compete for what has previously been over $100k in cash and in-kind services.
Complete Logistical Services (CLS) staffing agency has just announced that it will be expanding its current St. Bernard Parish office space. Construction on the new building will start later this month and is expected to take 10-12 months to complete.
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) has released its 2021 Annual Review. Highlighted parish-wide wins include being recognized as a Development Ready Community by Louisiana Economic Development, breaking ground on Domino Sugar’s $4 million expansion, aiding Chalmette Refining in securing the parish’s first-ever approved ITEP for a $550 million renewable diesel project, the announcement of Port NOLA’s $1.5 billion terminal, continuing programs such as Grow St. Bernard, Shop Small Week, & Startup St. Bernard, and launching the first-ever Small Business Matters Summit.
The entry period is open for the eighth annual Startup St. Bernard competition, presented by the Meraux Foundation and the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation. Startup St. Bernard seeks out dedicated, enthusiastic entrepreneurs who want to grow their business to the next level.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) announced it has activated its Disaster Response & Restoration Fund in response to Tuesday’s tornados. The fund provides grants that support local nonprofits leading short, medium, and long-term response and recovery efforts.
A high-level delegation of more than 50 economic leaders from across the Western Hemisphere will forge business relationships and explore trade and investment opportunities in Louisiana when the state hosts the Americas Competitiveness Exchange March 26 to April 1.
Planet Fitness, a national chain of gyms and fitness centers with over 2,000 facilities across all 50 states and 5 countries, has opened its first St. Bernard location. Stationed at 8400 W Judge Perez Dr. in Chalmette, the gym aims to provide affordable, accessible space for fitness and wellness in the parish.
The State/Federal Disaster Recovery Center in Chalmette will convert to a U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Center on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021.
Louisiana Economic Development has recognized St. Bernard as the state’s newest Louisiana Development Ready Community. The parish becomes the 48th participant in the community development program, now in its 13th year.
The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is proud to announce it has won two major industry awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC): a Gold Award for Neighborhood & Retail Development for Sold on St. Bernard and a Bronze Award for Entrepreneurship for creating and hosting Startup St. Bernard.
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation is working in partnership with St. Bernard Parish Government, Louisiana Economic Development, and a number of other relief organizations to provide assistance to businesses and residents of St. Bernard Parish and the state of Louisiana. SBEDF is currently gathering information about potential damages to St. Bernard Businesses that have been impacted by Hurricane Ida.
The 2020 U.S. Census results are in, and there’s no arguing the data: St. Bernard is Louisiana’s fastest-growing parish. Since 2010, the parish has grown 21%, compared to 18% in Ascension Parish, 14% in West Baton Rouge, 13% in St. Tammany, 11.7% in Orleans, and 1.9% in Jefferson.
Glass Half Full, a glass recycling company that collects glass and converts it into beach-like sand and glass cullet for disaster relief, eco-construction, new glass products, and more was selected as the winner of the 7th annual Startup St. Bernard presented by the Meraux Foundation and St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation on Thursday.
Relying on information from the Louisiana Department of Health about surging COVID-19 infection rates and out of an abundance of caution, Startup St. Bernard will no longer be open to the public. Instead, we invite you to watch the live pitches online Thursday at 2 p.m. on StartupStBernard.com and Facebook.