Since 2018, St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation (St. Tammany EDC) has facilitated business expansion and attraction announcements representing more than $291.9 million in capital investment and 2,299 new and retained jobs in St. Tammany Parish.
We have had a lot of wins: we implemented our first five-year economic development strategic plan, THRIVE2023, and over 85% of THRIVE2023’s tactics and strategies have been successfully implemented. In January 2024, we received the designation of Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the industry credential for high-performing economic development organizations.
Now, a new chapter begins for economic development in St. Tammany.
What’s In A Name?
In February, St. Tammany EDC, formerly known as St. Tammany Corporation, launched an updated brand and name. This is part of a broader strategic initiative that includes a new business attraction and marketing plan and the development of the organization’s second five-year economic development strategic plan.
The addition of “economic development” to our name reflects our core mission and clearly defines our role in business growth and community prosperity. We are excited to build upon the foundational successes of our previous strategic plan and step boldly into the next phase of economic development on the Northshore.
Stronger Digital Assets
Additional enhancements include our redesigned website, sttammanyedc.org, which offers a more seamless user experience, as well as a relaunch of the organization’s business development website, investsttammany.com, showcasing the parish as a premier destination for business expansion and job creation. It highlights St. Tammany’s target industry sectors, skilled workforce and available pad-ready sites.
We’re especially proud of our first business development video, which captures the region’s vibrant quality of life, strategic location and the hands-on efforts of its labor force, positioning St. Tammany as Louisiana’s parish of prosperity.
THRIVEing Together
The three-year business attraction and marketing plan is backed by dedicated resources and expanded staff. Key components include increased collaboration with Louisiana Economic Development (LED), GNO, Inc., and CLECO; proactive outreach to site location consultants; and a robust digital marketing strategy aimed at site location decision-makers.
The new strategic plan is THRIVE2029 —THRIVE is an acronym for transformational, honest, results-driven, intentional, vital and engaged).
Our target industry sectors encompass supply chain and logistics, professional and business services, and scientific and technical services, and we are seeing emerging opportunities in the medical, equipment manufacturing, and agribusiness industries. St. Tammany EDC aims to elevate its implementation of stronger cross-cutting strategies to enhance competitiveness in these segments through collaboration, advocacy, marketing and business intelligence.
Our business retention and expansion efforts will align with industry trend analysis and solution-oriented support. Product development priorities include enhancing our portfolio of land and site options, advancing promotions of site assets, and advocating for clearer and more streamlined zoning and permitting processes. This plan advances our efforts in boosting regional entrepreneurship via STartUp Northshore, workforce development through the Workforce Roundtable, and coalition-building for tourism and infrastructure. These efforts reflect our commitment to shaping an economy that is resilient and responsive to industry shifts and emerging trends.
The full THRIVE2029 plan is available at sttammanyedc.org, and ongoing updates will be shared through our communication platforms. VisionFirst Advisors, who advised on our strategic plan, noted: “Over the next five years, St. Tammany EDC will push beyond traditional economic development efforts, equipping their team and partners with the foresight and tools needed to stay ahead of industry shifts and position St. Tammany for sustained growth.”
This ambitious approach supports our mission to drive economic growth by attracting new businesses, supporting existing enterprises, and fostering a thriving environment for economic expansion. We are laser-focused on sustaining business retention and expansion efforts, scaling business formation activities and collaborative partnerships, and securing investments that enhance the economic landscape for all in St. Tammany.
Chris Masingill is the CEO of St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation. He may be reached via email at cmasingill@sttammanyedc.org.
