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New economic development role, $15 billion in announced projects spotlighted at St. Charles Parish meeting
Summary
Patrick Beard, the parish's new economic development director, outlined a plan to grow jobs and business investment, proposed a business engagement specialist (concierge) role, and said roughly $15 billion of announced projects could create hundreds of jobs locally.
Patrick Beard, director of Economic Development and Tourism for St. Charles Parish, told the parish council on Dec. 1 that his office will prioritize business retention, expansion and attraction while beefing up workforce partnerships and tourism support.
"We currently have around $15,000,000,000 in projects going on in this parish that are only announced projects," Beard said, saying that announced investments are in various stages and could yield "over 500 jobs" as projects complete.
Beard described a planned new business engagement specialist, a concierge-style role he said would be a single point of contact for business owners navigating permits, utilities and parish departments. He said the position will be proposed for approval soon and that a meet-and-greet for business owners is scheduled for Dec. 9 at River Parishes Community College.
Council members asked about outreach to small businesses and how the parish will ensure residents benefit from incoming jobs. Councilwoman de Vourier said many small businesses "don't tell us when they're having trouble," and Beard replied that the office will be proactive with surveys, formal relationships and referrals to resources such as South Central Planning & Development Commission's loan programs.
Beard placed the parish's economic strength in regional context, saying St. Charles ranks among the state's larger economies and noted a low unemployment rate (about 3.7% reported using 2024 data). He tied those strengths to the parish's ability to invest in schools, police and infrastructure.
The presentation emphasized collaboration with regional partners, including River Parishes Workforce Development Board, River Parishes Community College and utilities, and flagged workforce training as necessary to fill anticipated jobs from large industrial investments.
The council did not take formal action on Beard's presentation but expressed support for the proposed business engagement specialist and scheduled follow-up outreach.
