2017 Year in Review
At the beginning of each New Year, JEDCO often takes a moment to look back upon the organization’s accomplishments of the previous 12 months. We are proud to share that 2017 was a year of wins. JEDCO implemented successful initiatives, focused on business retention, expansion and attraction, and experienced new and exciting changes across the organization.
Guided by Jefferson Parish’s long-term economic development strategic plan, the Jefferson EDGE 2020, the JEDCO team has been steadfast in its commitment to create quality jobs, investment, and entrepreneurship in the community. We are very excited to announce that 91% of all Jefferson EDGE action items are in progress. The other 9% were completed in 2017.
In 2017, JEDCO celebrated 30 years in operation. It is a big achievement that we highlighted again and again. Over the years, Jefferson Parish has become a business destination. The excellent business climate, engaged elected officials, easy accessibility, and variety of unique amenities and assets have made our community very competitive and desirable. While we are proud of our community and the many attributes that make us attractive to businesses both locally and around the world, we do not rest on our laurels. Every year, we strive to implement new initiatives to improve the business climate, encourage economic development, and enhance the quality of life. 2017 was no exception. We are delighted to share our many achievements with you.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WINS
Sleep Number: This $1 billion publicly traded national brand chose Jefferson Parish as the location for its new Customer Relationship Center after a very competitive, multi-state site selection process. The company has already hired over 130 employees and will create an additional 100 jobs as operations continue to ramp up. JEDCO and Jefferson Parish supported Sleep Number in a variety of ways. Most specifically, JEDCO supported the company’s hiring efforts through a three-day hiring event at the JEDCO Conference center, at which the company exceeded its hiring goals.
Avondale: Bringing the former Avondale Shipyard site back into commerce has been a priority project for JEDCO for many years. That reality now seems closer than ever. Huntington Ingalls Industries identified a potential purchaser for the shipyard, which was announced late last year. While that purchaser is still going through due diligence, JEDCO is confident their plan for the site will provide the best possible outcome for the Jefferson Parish community and residents, maximizing investment and job opportunities while allowing Jefferson Parish to capitalize on the value-added manufacturing opportunities that exist due to the tremendous asset that is the Mississippi River.
District Donuts. Sliders. Brew: We financed District Donuts, Sliders and Brew’s first Jefferson Parish location. The local restaurant, which experienced national recognition for its unique donuts and sliders since its 2013 inception, expanded rapidly over the last several years – largely through JEDCO’s assistance.
JEDCO Challenge: The JEDCO Challenge is a pitch competition for startup companies with ties to Jefferson Parish. The annual event provides five local entrepreneurs with a chance to pitch for $20,000 in cash and additional in kind business services. This year, Chosen Diagnostics took home the top prize. This innovative biotechnology company developed a test that can identify a deadly disease threatening premature babies. Early diagnosis of this gastrointestinal disease can save lives and decrease medical costs for families. After winning the competition, founder Sunyoung Kim visited India for the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Chosen Diagnostics was asked to be participate by the US State Department and Small Business Administration in Washington DC.
INITIATIVES
- Housing Stock Enhancement Strategic Plan: Born out of the Jefferson EDGE 2020, the Housing Stock Enhancement Strategic Plan was developed to make the community’s housing stock more desirable for existing residents and attractive to those looking to move to our region. A committee of local business leaders helped developed a multi-tier plan for success. Already, our team has identified one neighborhood for the revitalization pilot program. We will begin engaging with stakeholders within Terrytown and provide a template for other neighborhoods in the Parish. In addition to the revitalization pilot program, we are working with developers to create mixed-use, walkable neighborhoods with access to both commercial and residential amenities.
- Façade Improvement Program: The JEDCO staff worked diligently on a multi-year effort to establish Jefferson Parish’s first ever Façade Improvement Program in order to stimulate economic development in two key business districts. This program will bring over $750,000 in new improvements to portions of the Jefferson Highway corridor and Fat City by offering forgivable loans to property owners who want to improve the character and physical appearance of their building exteriors and storefronts in these areas. We believe the incentive program will increase business revenues and attract other prospective businesses to the area. JEDCO received 49 Interest Survey applications from interested businesses.
- Churchill Park RFP: The Churchill Technology and Business Park, one of the first EDGE initiatives developed over 17 years ago, remains an important focus for the future of Jefferson Parish. The 500-acre park continues to grow with the construction of the Delgado Community College River City Campus and Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence. Following an action item outlined in the Jefferson EDGE 2020, JEDCO issued an RFP to identify a firm that could help create a master plan for the park. The organization received 10 strong proposals! The selection committee is currently negotiating the contract with the winning firm.
EVENTS
- Prosper Jefferson: JEDCO, in partnership with the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, hosted 12 small business seminars as part of the annual Prosper Jefferson series. The series featured speakers from across the region as they covered important topics, such as social media for businesses, online marketing, creating a positive company culture, strengthening public speaking skills, and many others.
- Workforce 2.0 Expo: JEDCO partnered with the Westbank Business and Industry Association to host the first annual Workforce 2.0 expo, a networking event to connect resource and training partners to business leaders. We plan to host this event again in 2018.
- IT Industry Group: The Jefferson EDGE called for the development of an IT Industry Group, made up of tech leaders from the Jefferson Parish business community. JEDCO formed the group in 2017. The group meets quarterly to discuss important topics impacting the local technology industry, such as workforce and education.
- Going Global: JEDCO teamed up with the World Trade Center of New Orleans to host a panel discussion to educate local businesses on industry standards, regulations and best practices for exporting success. Panelists came from the Southern United States Trade Association, U.S. Commercial Services, Leake Andersson, Ballard Brands and L.H. Hayward.
TEAM WINS
- JEDCO hired a new Economic Development Finance Manager, Jennifer Lapeyrouse. Under her leadership, JEDCO rebranded its loan programs to create the JEDCO Growth Fund, or JEDgrow for short.
- The Finance Department approved 24 loans in 2017 with a total project cost of over $59.2 million
- JEDCO promoted Annalisa Kelly to Strategic Initiatives Manager, where she oversees and implements many Jefferson EDGE action items and initiatives.
- The Economic Development Services department met with 125 Jefferson Parish companies in 2017
- JEDCO launched a brand new mobile-friendly website in 2017 with new features, such as the JEDCO Newsroom, JEDCO blog, and Jefferson Parish snapshot
- JEDCO’s marketing department issued over 47 press releases, media advisories, and newsletters, garnering mentions in nearly 500 news stories across 41 different states with over 88 million impressions
- #JEDCO30: JEDCO celebrated its anniversary in a variety of ways throughout 2017. From blog posts and a 30th birthday party to a massive reception at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center in September. Nearly 400 elected officials and business leaders from around the region attended the event to commemorate three decades of economic development successes. At our 2017 Annual Luncheon, JEDCO unveiled its 30th anniversary video, featuring interviews from former Chairmen of the Board and local business owners.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
- In late December, the University of New Orleans announced that JEDCO made the inaugural UNO25, a list of top performing businesses and organizations led by UNO alumni
- JEDCO’s Vice President & COO, Lacey Bordelon, was recognized as a New Orleans CityBusiness 2017 Women of the Year honoree in November
- Jerry Bologna achieved his Certified Economic Development recertification in 2017, an endorsement that serves as the industry gold standard for excellence in the profession
- JEDCO’s Strategic Initiatives Manager, Annalisa Kelly, was awarded the inaugural O. Ray Cornelius scholarship to further her professional development
Sleep Number: This $1 billion publicly traded national brand chose Jefferson Parish as the location for its new Customer Relationship Center after a very competitive, multi-state site selection process. The company has already hired over 130 employees and will create an additional 100 jobs as operations continue to ramp up. JEDCO and Jefferson Parish supported Sleep Number in a variety of ways. Most specifically, JEDCO supported the company’s hiring efforts through a three-day hiring event at the JEDCO Conference center, at which the company exceeded its hiring goals.
District Donuts. Sliders. Brew: We financed District Donuts, Sliders and Brew’s first Jefferson Parish location. The local restaurant, which experienced national recognition for its unique donuts and sliders since its 2013 inception, expanded rapidly over the last several years – largely through JEDCO’s assistance.
