Dear JEDCO Supporters:

Please find enclosed a copy of JEDCO's 2006 Annual Report for your review and consideration. After a tough 2005, it is a pleasure to report that Jefferson Parish is very much alive and doing extremely well. While Hurricanes Katrina and Rita temporarily slowed our economy, our resilient residents and businesses responded with characteristic creativity and hard work. From a parish that was hit hard by two major storms, Jefferson Parish is now driving the recovery for all of Southeast Louisiana. In fact, more than 3,000 new businesses have opened in our parish since the hurricanes.

JEDCO is more active than ever, working with businesses and parish leaders to strengthen the area's economy. In conjunction with other development agencies, we opened two business recovery centers, held more than 100 briefing sessions in the local community and have become a key part of the state's effort to help area small businesses via grants and loans. We have interfaced with more businesses since the storms than in all of our previous years of existence. These new efforts and our ongoing work in business retention and financing confirm JEDCO's position as the premier economic development organization in the state.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the enthusiastic support of the Jefferson Parish Administration and Council. I cannot even comprehend how difficult things would have been without the leadership and work of our elected officials.

In light of the problems in our neighboring parishes, JEDCO is also focused on helping New Orleans and the surrounding communities rebuild. We have adopted a regional approach to some of the tough issues we face, including insurance costs and flood protection.

Jefferson Parish is now the most populous and economically viable community in Louisiana. Despite all of our successes, we cannot and will not remain complacent when it comes to economic development. Competition from nearby states to retain and attract business remains fierce. We must continue to push if we want to keep Jefferson Parish's economy growing at a strong and steady pace.

Please be assured that we will work relentlessly to make Jefferson Parish an ever better place to live and work.

Sincerely,

Lucien Gunter, Executive Director
JEDCO

View JEDCO's 2006 Annual Report by clicking here.

View JEDCO's 2005 Annual Report by clicking here.
View JEDCO's 2005 Annual Year in Review Video by clicking here.
*(Please be patient, download time may vary.  If difficultly is experienced playing the video, try downloading QuickTime)  

View JEDCO's 2004 Annual Report by clicking here.