Celebrating Economic Development Week 2021

Happy Economic Development Week. From May 9-May 15, we are excited to celebrate alongside the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and many economic development organizations across the country. All this week, we will be highlighting the myriad of ways that JEDCO creates jobs, investment, and economic opportunities in Jefferson Parish.

Many times, you’ll  hear about JEDCO when we’re making an exciting announcement about a new business that has chosen to locate in our community. We’ve celebrated many major wins over the years: the re-imagining of the iconic Avondale Shipyard; the attraction of a Sleep Number Relationship Center; the construction of Dyno Nobel, Fuji Vegetable Oil, and many more major manufacturers. We’ve brought in billions of dollars in foreign direct investment. We’ve helped create thousands of jobs. We have helped Jefferson Parish become a destination for business and a hub for innovation.

Our work expands far beyond those big, exciting announcements. Here at JEDCO, we understand that in order for our community to grow and stay competitive, we have to support and advance the entire community. That is why we take a holistic approach to economic development.

• We focus on small business advancement through non-traditional gap financing, educational seminars, and one-on-one meetings to assess needs. Hear from industry leaders like Joval Manufacturing Company and High Level Speech and Hearing about the ways that we create an impact.
• We focus on communities: housing, neighborhoods, and placemaking. Late last year, we unveiled the first model home built through the Terrytown Neighborhood Revitalization Strategic Plan. Now, a young couple  – new to Terrytown — plans to start a family in the home.
• We focus on diversity, equity and resilience. The Jefferson EDGE 2025, our new long-term economic development strategic plan, was built around the core values of social equity, resilience and competitiveness. Read the plan here.
• We focus on our people, our employees, the men and women who make up our workforce. JEDCO is heavily engaged with Jefferson Parish Schools and many of the higher education institutions in the region. We support major efforts to educate and train the next generation of workers to meet the needs of  our businesses.
• We collaborate. Our partnerships with the Jefferson Parish Council and administration, local business organizations,  stakeholders,  and business leaders affords us every opportunity to advance our mission and enhance Jefferson Parish’s economic vitality. Economic development operates at its very best when key partners are working together toward a common goal. We are so lucky to work in a community where business and economic growth are valued and celebrated.

All of these pieces work together to help us create a community where businesses want to locate, grow, startup and expand. Each day, our dedicated team seeks new and innovative ways to ensure that we are driving progress, change, and opportunity in Jefferson Parish. That is what economic development is all about.

Want to learn more about JEDCO? There are a ton of ways to engage!

Check out our website. Check out our podcast series. Check out our seminar series. Read our blog. Learn more about Spend Local JP. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn. Finally, you can give us a call at 504.875.3908. We’re here to help!

Want to engage with us this week? Give us a shoutout on social media and share your JEDCO success story with the hashtag #EDW2021. We’d love to hear from you!