St Bernard Economic Development Foundation

What St Bernard Economic Development Foundation does

St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 that operates as the official economic development organization and public-private partnership of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. Headquartered at 100 Port Blvd, Suite 10, Chalmette, SBEDF delivers services across four pillars: Business Attraction, Retention & Expansion (confidential one-on-one consultation, site selection, incentive information, regulatory liaison); Neighborhood Revitalization (in partnership with St. Bernard Parish Government); Small Business Assistance (technical assistance and educational programming); and Talent & Workforce Development (employer-talent pathway coordination). The organization serves three primary segments: new and expanding businesses across manufacturing, logistics, maritime, energy, and creative industries; existing small business owners seeking growth resources; and parish residents seeking workforce opportunities.

The operating model is a public-private partnership funded through federal, state, and local grants (nearly $5 million secured in 2021, including a $500,000 EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant in 2023 and a $10,000 LED Development Ready Communities grant in 2024), private investor contributions from major employers (Chalmette Refining, Port NOLA, Associated Terminals, Valero Meraux Refinery, Entergy, Jones Walker LLP, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust), and program sponsorships. Its named programs include Startup St. Bernard (annual pitch competition with prize packages exceeding $100,000), Grow St. Bernard (professional development series with the Chamber of Commerce), Real Estate Investor Series (monthly networking), Small Business Matters Summit, the St. Claude Collective coworking space, and the Film St. Bernard Incentive Program (a 3.5% rebate on local qualifying film production expenses). SBEDF leadership is led by Executive Director Meaghan McCormack (appointed April 2020) with board oversight including Chairman Zeljko Franks. The organization operates on a lean team of approximately 1-10 employees and provides all services at no cost to businesses and residents.

The organization has no proprietary technology stack, no software products, and no AI/ML capabilities; its intellectual property consists of program brand equity and a recognized public-sector mandate. Performance is reflected externally: St. Bernard Parish's GDP grew 42% from 2016-2019 (second-fastest among Louisiana parishes), population grew 21% since 2010 (the state's fastest-growing parish), and the Port of St. Bernard provides approximately 18% of parish jobs. SBEDF has won International Economic Development Council awards (Gold for Neighborhood & Retail Development via Sold on St. Bernard, Bronze for Entrepreneurship via Startup St. Bernard) and a Greater New Orleans Foundation Next 100 Years Challenge Prize. Major capital flows the organization has helped catalyze include Port NOLA's $1.5 billion expansion into the parish, Chalmette Refining's $550 million renewable diesel project (first-ever parish ITEP approval), Domino Sugar's $4 million warehouse expansion, and a $2 million EDA connector-road grant projected to create 195 jobs and retain 390.

Name

St Bernard Economic Development Foundation

Legal name

St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation

Website

https://sbedf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the official public-private economic development organization of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, providing business attraction/retention, neighborhood revitalization, small business assistance, and workforce development services to businesses, residents, and developers at no cost.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Economic development
• Business consulting
• Workforce development
• Small business support
• Community revitalization

Headquarters

HQ city

Chalmette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: SBEDF secures grant funding from federal, state, and local sources including EPA Brownfield Assessment Grants ($500,000), EDA grants ($2 million), and Louisiana Economic Development grants ($10,000). In 2021, they secured nearly $5 million worth of grant funding.
2. Private Partner/Investor Contributions: The organization is a public-private partnership funded by private partners including major companies like Chalmette Refining, Port NOLA, Associated Terminals, Valero Meraux Refinery, Entergy, and others who contribute to support economic development initiatives.
3. Startup St. Bernard Program Sponsorships: Annual pitch competition with prize packages of approximately $100,000 in cash and in-kind services funded by sponsors including Meraux Foundation (presenting sponsor), Park Investments, Associated Terminals, Valero Meraux Refinery, and others.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public-private partnership that serves as the official economic development organization for St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. It provides confidential one-on-one business consultation, site selection assistance, incentive information, and liaison services to businesses seeking to locate or expand in the parish. The organization also runs signature programs including an annual startup pitch competition, professional development series, small business support, workforce development, and a coworking facility.

Product overview

St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) offers a unified portfolio of economic development services organized around five core pillars: Business Attraction, Retention & Expansion; Neighborhood Revitalization; Small Business Assistance; and Talent & Workforce Development. These core services are supplemented by several named programs including Grow St. Bernard (professional development), Real Estate Investor Series (networking), Startup St. Bernard (annual pitch competition offering over $100,000 in prizes), Small Business Matters Summit, and the St. Claude Collective (shared workspace). SBEDF also administers the Film St. Bernard Incentive Program, a local production rebate. The organization functions as a public-private partnership providing confidential consultations, site selection assistance, incentive information, and grant support—not as a technology product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Grow St. Bernard: A joint program with St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce providing professional development opportunities to business owners and their staff.
• Startup St. Bernard
• Real Estate Investor Series
• Small Business Matters Summit
• Film St. Bernard Incentive Program
• St. Claude Collective

Products and services

• Business Attraction, Retention & Expansion Confidential one-on-one business consultation, site selection assistance, incentives information, and direct liaison services to help businesses locate or expand in St. Bernard Parish. Target customers are businesses evaluating site location or expansion in the parish.
• Neighborhood Revitalization Partnership program with St. Bernard Parish Government to create economically viable, aesthetically pleasing, and safe communities for residents and businesses. Target audience includes parish residents, businesses, and developers.
• Small Business Assistance Technical assistance and educational programming designed to support existing small businesses and enhance parish quality of life. Target customers are small business owners operating in St. Bernard Parish.
• Talent & Workforce Development Programs connecting employers and talent throughout the region to develop pathways for workforce and employer needs. Target audience includes local employers, job seekers, and workforce trainees.
• Grow St. Bernard Education program offering access to current trends and best practices for business operations to professionals across the region. Target audience is business owners and their staff seeking professional development.
• Real Estate Investor Series Monthly education and networking program connecting investors and real estate professionals in St. Bernard Parish. Target audience includes real estate developers, investors, and brokers.
• Startup St. Bernard Annual startup business challenge where entrepreneurs apply for a chance to pitch their business to a panel of judges for over $100,000 in prizes. Open to businesses under 5 years old willing to locate in St. Bernard Parish. Target audience is early-stage entrepreneurs and startups.
• Small Business Matters Summit One-day experience for small business owners and employees to become aware of and leverage opportunities in St. Bernard Parish. Target audience is small business owners and their staff.
• St. Claude Collective Shared workspace facility in the St. Claude area offering flexible memberships with dedicated desks, shared coworking spaces, and member amenities. Target audience is entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers.
• Film St. Bernard Incentive Program Local film production incentive offering a 3.5% rebate on qualifying expenses within St. Bernard Parish, complementing the Louisiana Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit. Administered by the Film Incentive Review Board. Target audience is film, television, and digital content production companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• GDP growth of 42% from 2016-2019, ranking 2nd among all Louisiana parishes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2023Partnership to introduce the Thriving African-American Small Business Initiative designed to help boost the profit potential of Black-owned businesses in the greater New Orleans region.
• Regional Planning Commission (RPC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2023Partnership with Regional Planning Commission to administer the $500,000 EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant for environmental assessments and redevelopment in St. Bernard Parish. Funds support cleanup and repurposing of contaminated or underutilized brownfield sites into community assets.
• Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2022GNOF activated its Disaster Response & Restoration Fund following tornados and provided $10,000 grants to SBEDF and other nonprofits for emergency relief efforts including food, water, shelter, and recovery support.
• Shop Local NolaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 26 January 2021Partnership with Shop Local Nola, the largest directory for verified locally owned businesses in the Greater New Orleans area. SBEDF joined other chambers and economic development organizations to encourage consumers to support local businesses.
• Meraux Foundation (Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeraux Foundation is the presenting sponsor and founding organizer of Startup St. Bernard pitch competition. The foundation, established by Arlene Meraux, leverages landholdings to benefit St. Bernard Parish. Rita Gue serves as President of the foundation board.
• St. Bernard Parish Government (SBPG)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBPG is the governmental partner in the public-private partnership that is SBEDF. They co-develop initiatives including the Film St. Bernard Incentive Program, Digital Media & Software Incentive Program, and collaborate on economic development strategies.
• St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Port provides approximately 18% of parish jobs and is a key economic engine. SBEDF assists with business attraction to the port and partnered on EDA grant application for connector road. The Port and Port NOLA collaborated on Violet property acquisition for potential new container terminal.
• Louisiana Economic Development (LED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency that recognized St. Bernard as a Louisiana Development Ready Community and awarded $10,000 grant for strategic planning. SBEDF works with LED on business attraction and workforce development.
• GNO, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization. SBEDF Executive Director Meaghan McCormack was named to GNO Inc.'s 2021 Coalition for Coastal Resilience and Economy (CCRE).
• Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small BusinessescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoldman Sachs program at Delgado Community College served as the independent selection committee for Startup St. Bernard 2022 finalists, reviewing applications based on business plan strength, management experience, and community impact.
• Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBEDF hosted the Americas Competitiveness Exchange at The Ranch Film Studios in St. Bernard Parish. ACE brought over 50 economic leaders from across the Western Hemisphere for business relationships and trade opportunities.
• AmeriCorps VISTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBEDF accepted into AmeriCorps VISTA program after rigorous two-part application. VISTA member serves in grant-writing and development role to increase organizational capacity and work on parish-wide quality of life improvements.
• Nunez Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner that hosted Startup St. Bernard events and serves as a key workforce development pipeline. College added Aerospace Manufacturing Center providing pathway to opportunities at Michoud Assembly Facility.
• St. Bernard Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program partner for Grow St. Bernard professional development series and other initiatives. Chamber CEO Elizabeth Dauterive participates in economic development events.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.): Regional economic development organization serving the 10-parish Greater New Orleans region. Directly comparable as a public-private partnership driving business attraction, retention, and policy advocacy in the same geography as SBEDF.
• Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO): Parish-level economic development organization for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Operates a comparable model — public-private partnership with business attraction, small business assistance, and workforce programs — directly competing for regional employers and grant funding.
• Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership: Regional economic development organization for the Baton Rouge area. Operates a similar public-private partnership model with comparable programs in business attraction, workforce development, and small business support, targeting Louisiana economic growth.
• St. Tammany Corporation: Parish-level economic development organization for St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Closely comparable public-private partnership structure with business attraction and small business programs targeting the same regional employer pool.
• One Acadiana: Regional economic development organization for the Acadiana (Lafayette) region. Comparable public-private partnership structure focused on business attraction, retention, and workforce development within Louisiana.

Others

• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): Industry association for economic development professionals that awarded SBEDF multiple 2021 recognitions (Gold for Neighborhood Development, Bronze for Entrepreneurship). Comparable as the trade body whose members include SBEDF's peer EDOs.
• Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF): Regional philanthropic foundation that funds SBEDF and similar EDOs through programs like the Next 100 Years Challenge and Disaster Response & Restoration Fund. Comparable as a community foundation that distributes grants to nonprofit partners including economic development organizations.
• National Development Council: National nonprofit that provides financing and development services to underserved communities, comparable to SBEDF's small business assistance and community development mission at a national scale.

Regional players

• Shreveport-Bossier Economic Development Foundation: Parish-level economic development foundation serving Shreveport-Bossier City in northwest Louisiana. Operates a similar foundation-based model with business attraction, retention, and workforce programs targeting a different Louisiana geography.

Broad incumbents

• Louisiana Economic Development (LED): State-level economic development agency. Functions as the broader umbrella over parish-level EDOs like SBEDF; provides grants (e.g., $10K Louisiana Development Ready Community award) and competitive incentives. Comparable in mission but operates at the state level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sbedf
• Facebookfacebook.com/sbedf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-bernard-economic-development-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/sbedfla

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about St Bernard Economic Development Foundation