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Economic-development office reports large transactions and pipeline of projects for St. Tammany Parish
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Summary
The parish’s economic development chief described a busy start to 2026 with multiple corporate transactions and a pipeline of site and expansion projects; he highlighted recruitment efforts, workforce and infrastructure challenges and upcoming outreach to site selectors.
Russell Richardson, president and CEO of the local economic development corporation, briefed the council on recent corporate activity and the office’s pipeline of projects.
Richardson said the parish has seen substantial transactions in 2026 and described ongoing recruitment and retention work. “To date, in 2026, we’ve had $25,000,000,000 in investment into St. Tammany Parish,” Richardson said, adding that recent announcements represent roughly 2,000 jobs and that his office has engaged about 100 companies over the past four months. He emphasized that those headline values reflect company transactions and not all cash flowing directly into the parish budget.
Richardson summarized several local wins and projects: acquisitions and expansions tied to energy and distribution sectors, a planned purchase of the Gause Building in Slidell and local firm investment activity. He noted the parish’s participation in the Louisiana fast sites program and that Gulf South Commerce Park was among awarded sites; a national developer has purchased parcel(s) there and plans a 200,000-square-foot spec building.
On workforce and infrastructure, Richardson said employers consistently raise concerns about recruiting and retaining talent, permitting and zoning processes, and tax considerations. He described partnerships with regional and state economic-development partners, colleges and workforce programs to address training and talent needs. He also outlined upcoming outreach efforts, including conferences in Houston and a logistics luncheon aimed at attracting industrial and distribution employers.
Councilmembers asked whether large mergers and acquisitions (for example, the Cleco transaction mentioned in the presentation) could harm local employment or tax bases. Richardson said his office communicates with corporate partners and regional partners to retain headquarters and operations where possible and to assist companies during ownership changes.
Richardson said the office has about 28 projects in the active pipeline (approximately $4 billion in capital represented and about 2,500 jobs) and another set of projects at various stages; he described the local technology-startup pitch program and workforce initiatives that supplement recruitment.
Richardson closed by thanking the council and noting he plans to return periodically with updates; the council offered support and asked staff to continue pursuing opportunities to keep headquarters and jobs in the parish.
No council action was taken Thursday on the economic development items; the presentation was informational.
