Economic development director outlines $15 billion in announced projects, workforce focus and new concierge role
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Summary
Patrick Beard presented a department overview, citing roughly $15 billion in announced projects for Saint Charles Parish, a low unemployment rate (3.7% cited), and proposed a business engagement specialist to help small businesses and shepherd permit applicants through parish departments.
Patrick Beard, the parish’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism presenter, told the council the department will focus on business retention, expansion and attraction, workforce partnerships and a new business engagement specialist role.
Beard said the parish has "around $15,000,000,000 in projects going on in this parish that are... announced projects" and described a local labor challenge: a 3.7% unemployment rate that leaves fewer than 1,000 people currently unemployed in the parish. He said the new specialist — described as a "business concierge" — will act as a single point of contact to guide business applicants through planning, public works, wastewater and utilities reviews and to connect firms with workforce training partners.
Council members asked about outreach to small businesses and financing. Beard said the department is building formal referral relationships and will promote resources such as a 4% loan program through the South Central Planning and Development Commission that can offer up to $500,000 for qualifying businesses. He also invited business owners to a meet-and-greet on Dec. 9 at River Parishes Community College.
Beard framed the parish's economic position with per-resident GDP comparisons and taxable-sales data: he cited a per-resident GDP figure and $2,400,000,000 in recent taxable sales for 2024. The presentation noted the parish’s industrial tax base and the potential for announced projects to create several hundred jobs, while cautioning that workforce development will be needed to connect existing unemployed residents with new positions.
The council and parish president expressed support for the planned concierge role and described steps to coordinate permitting and outreach to help small businesses access financing and services.
Next steps mentioned in the meeting: finalizing the business engagement specialist job description and seeking civil-service approval, promoting the Dec. 9 meet-and-greet, and continuing outreach with local workforce and education partners.