Ascension Economic Development Corporation

What Ascension Economic Development Corporation does

Ascension Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is a private nonprofit economic development corporation founded in 2005 in Gonzales, Louisiana, established during the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery period to drive sustainable industrial growth in Ascension Parish. AEDC operates as a publicly funded intermediary — staffed by 1–10 employees — that delivers free site selection, incentive navigation, permitting support, and workforce-development coordination to businesses evaluating or expanding operations in the parish. Its service portfolio includes the Ascension Advantage program (demographics, workforce, and market-access data), the Ascension Retention & Expansion Program for existing employers, a Buildings & Sites Database, and oversight of the Industrial Development Board.

The organization's core "products" are its certified industrial sites and megasites, most notably the 17,000-acre RiverPlex MegaPark on the West Bank and the Pointe Sunshine Megasite, supplemented by the 186-acre Magnolia Ridge Logistics Park developed in partnership with Ratcliff Development and JRE Capital. AEDC does not build proprietary technology; its competitive offering is the assembly of location assets (4 interstate highways, 3 deep-water ports, 2 commercial airports within a 45-mile radius, 8 certified sites ranging from 23 to 1,000 acres) with Louisiana's incentive stack (Industrial Tax Exemption, Quality Jobs, LED FastStart workforce training) and federal EDA infrastructure funding.

AEDC's go-to-market is enterprise field sales — direct outreach to corporate decision-makers, often in partnership with Louisiana Economic Development — targeting manufacturing, petrochemical, steel, chemical, distribution, and logistics firms. The organization is funded by Ascension Parish government allocations, state LED grants, and federal EDA grants, and reports facilitating over $27 billion in capital investment and 5,500+ jobs since inception, anchored by clients including Hyundai Steel, CF Industries, Shell Chemical, BASF, Methanex, Westlake Chemical, Linde, Southern Glazers, and Emerson Process Management. AEDC was recognized with the Business Facilities 2025 Deal of the Year Platinum Award for the Hyundai Steel project and the 2022 Southern Business & Development Small Market of the Year award.

Name

Ascension Economic Development Corporation

Legal name

Ascension Economic Development Corporation

Website

https://ascensionedc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ascension Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is a nonprofit economic development corporation in Gonzales, Louisiana, founded in 2005, that provides free site selection, incentive navigation, and business retention services to industrial, manufacturing, distribution, and small businesses locating or expanding in Ascension Parish.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Site selection assistance
• Industrial recruitment
• Business retention programs
• Industrial site development

Headquarters

HQ city

Gonzales

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Grants: AEDC operates as a non-profit economic development corporation funded primarily through public sources including Ascension Parish government allocations, Louisiana Economic Development grants, and potentially federal Economic Development Administration funding. The organization provides free services to businesses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ascension Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is a nonprofit economic development organization serving Ascension Parish, Louisiana that recruits, retains, and expands businesses by providing free site selection, demographic, workforce, and incentive-navigation services. AEDC markets and manages large industrial development projects including the 17,000-acre RiverPlex MegaPark, the Pointe Sunshine Megasite, and Magnolia Ridge Logistics Park, and partners with Ascension Parish Government, Louisiana Economic Development, and federal agencies to attract capital investment and jobs to the parish.

Product overview

Ascension Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) is an economic development organization offering a portfolio of services for business attraction, retention, and expansion in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The core offerings include the Ascension Advantage program (providing demographics, workforce data, market access, and site selection resources), Start a Business Services (guiding new business formation through licensing and permits), Site Selection Services (featuring certified sites, megasites like RiverPlex MegaPark and Pointe Sunshine, and a Buildings & Sites Database), the Ascension Retention & Expansion Program, and Industrial Development Board oversight. AEDC also facilitates major industrial development projects including the 17,000-acre RiverPlex MegaPark and the 186-acre Magnolia Ridge Logistics Park.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ascension Advantage
• Start a Business Services
• Site Selection Services
• Ascension Retention & Expansion Program
• Buildings & Sites Database
• RiverPlex MegaPark
• Pointe Sunshine Megasite
• Magnolia Ridge Logistics Park
• Industrial Development Board Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $27 billion in capital investment generated through AEDC efforts
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ratcliff DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Partnership for Magnolia Ridge Logistics Park development - Alexandria-based developer partnering on 186-acre industrial subdivision in Geismar offering up to 2 million square feet of mixed industrial space.
• JRE CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2025Local private equity firm partnering with Ratcliff Development on Magnolia Ridge Logistics Park project in Geismar.
• Lee & AssociatesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 May 2025Listing broker for Magnolia Ridge Logistics Park, representing the development in marketing and leasing activities.
• Louisiana Economic Development (LED)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency providing workforce training (LED FastStart), incentive programs, and business recruitment support for Ascension Parish projects.
• CF Industries / JERA / Mitsui (Blue Point Number One)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner$4 billion joint venture for world's largest low-carbon ammonia facility at RiverPlex MegaPark, anchoring major industrial development on West Bank.
• Ascension Parish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner providing support for economic development initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and business incentives.
• Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional chamber partnership supporting economic development efforts and business recruitment in the Greater Baton Rouge area.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Greater Houston Partnership: One of the largest US regional economic development organizations, serving the Houston region. Comparable for its scale of industrial recruitment, deep engagement with petrochemical and energy projects, and robust certified sites program targeting global manufacturers.
• JobsOhio: Private nonprofit economic development corporation for the State of Ohio, among the largest US state-level EDOs. Comparable for its nonprofit structure, public-private funding model, and focus on attracting large industrial/manufacturing capital projects to a defined geography.
• Louisiana Economic Development (LED): State-level economic development agency that is itself a direct partner of AEDC; operates across all Louisiana parishes and provides workforce training, incentives, and business recruitment support that AEDC layers on at the parish level. Most directly comparable as the parent entity in the Louisiana economic development ecosystem.
• Enterprise Florida: Public-private partnership serving as Florida's principal economic development organization. Comparable as a state-level nonprofit EDO supporting business attraction, retention, and expansion with a focus on industrial and corporate investment.

Regional players

• Greater New Orleans Inc. Regional economic development alliance for the New Orleans area, covering ten parishes in Southeast Louisiana. Comparable as a Louisiana-focused nonprofit economic development organization targeting industrial and corporate investment.
• Greater Memphis Chamber: Regional chamber and economic development organization serving the Memphis metropolitan area. Comparable as a nonprofit EDO with a similar emphasis on logistics, distribution, and industrial recruitment.
• Greater Birmingham Economic Partnership: Public-private economic development organization for the Birmingham, Alabama region. Comparable as a Southern US regional EDO with a similar nonprofit structure, certified sites program, and industrial recruitment focus.

Direct peers

• Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC): Regional economic development organization serving the Greater Baton Rouge area, including Ascension Parish. Operates with a similar nonprofit model focused on business attraction, retention, and expansion, and partners with AEDC on regional initiatives.
• Calcasieu Parish Police Jury / SWLA Economic Development Alliance: Regional economic development organization for Southwest Louisiana, a direct competitor to AEDC for petrochemical and industrial investment in Louisiana. Comparable for its similar parish-level economic development mandate, industrial corridor focus, and recruiting motion.

Others

• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): Industry association for economic development professionals and organizations. Comparable as a peer organization in the economic development sector, offering training, networking, and certification for AEDC personnel and industry peers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AscensionEDC
• Facebookfacebook.com/AscensionEDC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ascension Economic Development Corporation