Dear Friends,

2017 proved to be a banner year for SBEDF. Perhaps the most significant economic development project undertaken in SBEDF’s history, the Sinclair Tract certification, was completed in May. The site is now designated as “turn-key” for potential developers, and is the first-ever property in St. Bernard to receive the prestigious label.

SBEDF also launched Grow St. Bernard, a new initiative offering professional insights on a variety of topics important to emerging and growing businesses, while sustaining and expanding SBEDF’s other core programs, Startup St. Bernard, Working on the Water, and Shop Small.

In a new partnership with St. Bernard Parish Government, SBEDF authored and helped implement a new film incentive program, “Film St. Bernard,” designed to mature the film industry in The Parish. Also new, the introduction of a proactive retail attraction strategy intended to improve quality of life and increase sales tax revenue.

With the momentum from a healthy pipeline of “wins” through 2017 coupled with the groundwork laid out for the future, 2018 projects to be a year we are well equipped to continue building a more prosperous future for St. Bernard Parish.

As always, thank you for the support.

Andrew P. Jacques

SBEDF Executive Director

2017 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Material assistance includes identifying an original lead, or assisting in at least one of the following areas (1) business incentives, (2) site search & location, (3) market research, (4) key business introductions, (5) zoning and permitting assistance, (6) public relations, or (7) any other assistance that materially and positively impacts a business' ability and decision to locate, expand, or grow in St. Bernard Parish.

2017 PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

Startup St. Bernard

The 3rd Annual Startup St. Bernard, presented by the Meraux Foundation and SBEDF, crowned a new winner on Monday, March 21, 2017. Reactive Digital Systems, a small firm on the cutting edge of educational tools and augmented reality, took home the largest prize package to-date, valued at over $120,000. Startup St. Bernard is designed to attract innovative entrepreneurs to relocate or launch their businesses in St. Bernard Parish and promote The Parish’s local ecosystem to the region.

Shop Small/Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday was expanded to a week-long “Shop Small” campaign through partnerships with American Express, the St. Bernard Chamber, and the St. Bernard Parish Office of Tourism. SBEDF sponsored a shopper incentive program geared at converting marketing efforts into measureable sales increases for locally owned businesses. Shop Small 2017 garnered greater participation from both businesses and the general public.

Grow St. Bernard

Grow St. Bernard, a seminar series powered by SBEDF and the St. Bernard Chamber, recognized the first spring cohort of 19 businesses and hosted three fall lunch and learn sessions. Participants who completed the program gained valuable knowledge of current trends and best practices for operating a business successfully. The 2017 series included presentations, panels, and workshops from notable guest speakers and industry leaders.

WOW (Working on the Water)

SBEDF was awarded a grant in 2017 from the Greater New Orleans Foundation to continue programming aimed at strengthening small business opportunities in coastal industries. WOW, through successful programming, has become a trusted source of information among St. Bernard Parish’s commercial fishing community. SBEDF is working closely with community partners on a circular campaign that will distribute valuable information to coastal businesses.

Film St. Bernard

Film St. Bernard, an incentive program developed to retain and expand the film industry in St. Bernard Parish, was put into place in 2017. The incentive was developed in partnership with St. Bernard Parish Government. The program offers one of the largest local tax rebates in the state and is designed to complement the state incentive. Internationally recognized film studios have already applied to the program.

2017 STATS & RANKINGS

St. Bernard Parish is the 5TH fastest growing parish in Southeast Louisiana - New Orleans Times Picayune

Chalmette ranks 5TH in Louisiana’s fastest growing cities and towns - New Orleans Times Picayune

Greater New Orleans is 2ND in the USA for growth of knowledge industries - Emsi

Greater New Orleans ranks 6TH among the cities creating the most middle‐class jobs - Forbes

Louisiana’s Workers are the most engaged workforce in the United States - Gallup

Louisiana ranks in the top 5 best states to do business - Area Development

2017-2018 STRATEGIC FOCUS

Large Business Retention & Expansion

Sinclair Tract certification by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED.) The first-ever property in St. Bernard Parish to achieve the prestigious development-ready certified site designation.

Associated Terminals, Boasso America, and The Ranch Film Studios expand operations in 2017. SBEDF BRE program provides assistance with incentives, lead generation, and site selection for large employers and small businesses via one-on-one confidential meetings.

Retail Attraction

Tractor Supply Co., Dunkin’ Donuts, Canseco’s Markets and others open new retail outlets. SBEDFs retail strategy targets tracts of land to aggressively pursue retailers & developers.

St. Bernard Parish representation at the International Council of Shopping Centers RECon. The world’s largest retail and real estate conference. SBEDF created site specific development documents for strategic tracts in Arabi, Meraux, and Chalmette.

Marketing & Public Relations

Over 115 mentions in local and regional publications. Trusted source for the most relevant business news coming out of St. Bernard Parish.

Public advocate for business development in St. Bernard Parish. Key partnerships with local parish government, industry leaders, institutions, and other non-profits.

Investment in attracting young professionals. GNO Inc.’s 2017 Emerge Summit event sponsor and 2017 St. Bernard Chamber’s Emerging Professional Council presenting sponsor.

Workforce Development

Aerospace Manufacturing Center of Excellence at Nunez Community College Nunez set to recieve one million in funds from LED and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System for new workforce development program.

2017 Annual Review