2016 ANNUAL REVIEW
SBEDF CELEBRATES ANOTHER YEAR OF GROWTH AND PROSPERITY
The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) has a fresh look in 2016. The organization undertook a full rebrand including a new corporate logo, website redesign, email templates, and other supporting graphics.
The refreshed organization is reflective of the renewed energy in St. Bernard Parish. The time has never been better to capitalize and invest in St. Bernard Parish and SBEDF.
SBEDF continues to market business development opportunities in St. Bernard while aiding in the retention and expansion of existing operations. Additionally, the organization continues to grow its programming & introduce new initiatives to help achieve SBEDF’s mission.
2016 ACCOMPLISHED GOALS
SBEDF Brand - New Logo & Identity, All Platforms
Build Office Brand Awareness
Create Annual Report
Identify Advertisement/Sponsorship Opportunities
Increase Media Features
Staffing
2016 KEY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS
40 Arpent Brewing Co.
After winning the inaugural Startup St. Bernard competition, 40 Arpent opened a brand new taproom in Old Arabi along the Mississippi River and expanded its brewing capacity.
40 Arpent Brewing Company Taproom Grand Opening
Studio Arabi
The Studio Arabi Arts Campus is poised to be an anchor of The Old Arabi Cultural Arts District. The main campus opened in April, housing over 12 local painters, sculptors, and artists.
'Studio Arabi' Arts Campus to Accelerate Creative Economy in St. Bernard Parish
Valiant Theatre & Lounge
Adding to the developing Arabi arts and culture scene is the Valiant. The 75 seat performing arts space regularly welcomes world-class acts & local productions. At full capacity, the
theatre is expected to attract 1000 patrons a week.
Valiant Theatre & Lounge to Open in Old Arabi
Chalmette Refining/PBF
PBF Energy acquired Chalmette Refining LLC and is expected to hire up to 70 additional employees. The company committed to a new storage tank project along with several
beautification measures at the facility.
Walmart Neighborhood Market
The opening of St. Bernard Parish’s latest major grocery store provides another option to a large, undeserved population in Meraux and Eastern St. Bernard.
Walmart Neighborhood Market Opens in Meraux
The Ranch Film Studios
SBEDF continually works with The Ranch to help attract new films to the facility, increase production capacity, & identify complementary businesses for the campus.
Southern Services & Equipment
SSE makes substantial investment in custom steel fabrication robotic technology becoming a leader in the region.
PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES
Startup St. Bernard
Startup St. Bernard continues to be a vehicle for developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem & catalyzing economic development in St. Bernard Parish. Several winners and finalists have made strides to grow and expand their businesses including 40 Arpent Brewing Co., The Coffee House, Christie's Dreams Seafood, Kayak-iti-yak, and Girls Gone Vegan.
The Startup St. Bernard 3rd Annual Final Five Live Pitch event is March 20, 2017 from 1pm-3pm at Docville Farm's AMROC Building. Winner will once again take the coveted $110K Prize Package.
Working on the Water (WOW)
WOW has distinguished itself as a trusted source of information for the local fishing community. Programming continues to strengthen small business opportunities for individuals engaged in commercial fishing, coastal restoration, ecotourism, and disaster response in Southeastern Louisiana. SBEDF was awarded the GNOF Exxon-Mobil Fund Grant to support WOW efforts in 2017.
Working on the Water is the recipeant of an Exxon-Mobil GNOF 2017 Grant to continue and expand programming in the upcoming year.
Film St. Bernard
Recently developed in partnership with St. Bernard Parish Government and The Office of Film & Television, Film St. Bernard Incentive Program aims to make St. Bernard Parish the most desirable location for motion picture and television production in the region. The program offers the largest local rebate in Greater New Orleans and eligible projects must spend over $150,000 in local expenditures including lodging, payroll, facility rental, and other production expenses.
