NEW ORLEANS — Bruce Layburn, 2017 JEDCO Chairman of the Board, released the following statement on the 2017 JEDCO Annual Report on Tuesday, June 19.
"Dear JEDCO Supporters,
It was an honor to serve as the Chairman of the JEDCO Board of Commissioners in 2017. It was a busy year for economic development in Jefferson Parish. Specifically, JEDCO turned 30 and spent much of the year celebrating that exciting milestone. In this year's Annual Report, you will get a glimpse into the impact that JEDCO has had on this community over the last three decades. We have included a timeline to highlight just a few significant moments in the organization's history.
The timeline does not include the other moments: the companies retained, the businesses expanded, the jobs created, the small businesses that grew bigger with JEDCO's help. It doesn't incorporate the words of gratitude and appreciation from the business owners who relied on JEDCO to open their doors through our loan programs or who turned to us to identify the perfect site for their expansion plans, or who asked for our help in connecting with the Parish government. Our timeline would be miles long if we included all of it, but it bears mentioning that all of JEDCO's moments – both big and small – have had an influence on the Jefferson Parish business community over the last 30 years.
The JEDCO team deserves much of the credit for the success of this organization. Many JEDCO employees have been with the organization for over 10 years, lending their expertise to projects and initiatives that changed the economic landscape in Jefferson Parish over time. This team is committed to Jefferson Parish and the businesses that call Jefferson Parish home and this shows in their attention to detail, in their customer service, and in their enthusiasm. They are constantly innovating and consistently identifying new ways to enhance the economic vitality of this community. Additionally, the JEDCO team is award-winning. In 2017, many of our employees received prestigious recognitions for their work in economic development. That trend continued in 2018. I commend the JEDCO staff for a successful 30 years and a tremendous 2017.
Of course, JEDCO could not move forward without support from our partners. We pride ourselves on our collaboration with elected officials, parish departments, and the business and civic organizations that represent the companies and residents located in Jefferson Parish. With strong community partners, we are able to effect change in our community and develop a stronger, more creative action plan to help Jefferson Parish become the preferred destination for all businesses.
Already, our 31st year in business has been a big success with many announcements, initiatives, and priority projects moving forward at lightning speed. The JEDCO team will continue to focus its efforts on bringing the former Avondale Shipyard site back into commerce while also supporting the targeted industry clusters outlined through the Jefferson EDGE 2020, the Parish's long-term economic development strategic plan. We will see the completion of the Churchill Technology & Business Park Master Plan in 2018 along with the opening of Delgado Community College's River City Campus and Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in our park. We will welcome new companies and support those already here. We will launch new initiatives and develop new strategies to attract and retain quality businesses in our community. We will be bigger and better with every passing year.
I am proud to say that after 30 years of supporting the local economy in Jefferson Parish, JEDCO is just getting started. Congratulations to JEDCO on 30 years of excellence. I look forward to the next 30. Thank you for letting me play a role in the history of this impressive organization.
The 2017 Annual Report can be found at JEDCO.org. Click here to read the full PDF version of the report.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Bruce Layburn
2017 JEDCO Chairman of the Board"
– by Alexa Renée Harrison, associate news editor
