History of The Jefferson EDGE

The Jefferson EDGE was formed in 2001 to accelerate the implementation of JEDCO initiatives.

It achieved its initial goal of raising almost $500,000 per year from the private and public sectors over its first five years. These funds have been essential for the realization of economic development projects formulated by JEDCO and the Jefferson EDGE 2020 Plan. Fundraising continues given a fluid business environment characterized by mergers/acquisitions and companies' fulfillment of original five year commitments to EDGE.

Of the EDGE monies expended to date, approximately $1.5 Million has been spent on the Churchill Technology Park development with $1 Million for acquisition of an additional 50 acres subsequent to the donation to JEDCO of 40 acres for the Park.

EDGE Investors funds were also used as leverage to generate additional financing for Churchill infrastructure and the planned Patrick Taylor Science & Technology Academy.
$ .850 Million - Federal EDA
$ 1.000 Million - 90 Acres (40 donated; 50 purchased)
$ 3.800 Million - Jefferson Parish for Infrastructure
$ 25.000 Million - State of Louisiana (Capital Outlay)
$ 30.650 Million Total

Further, almost $500,000 has been spent on marketing to create awareness of the quality of life in Jefferson Parish, promote the resources of JEDCO available to small businesses and formulating a site attraction plan for the Tech Park.

The Jefferson EDGE: A Partnership for Economic Growth gives the Return on Investment (ROI) of EDGE Investors' dollars raised since 2001 and analizes the Economic Impact of the Jefferson EDGE. It concludes that (1)one dollar invested with EDGE leveraged $54 in economic impact; (2) some 26,000 jobs were created or retained from 2001-2005, far exceeding a modest goal of 1,100 jobs; (3) the $4.2 Million raised by EDGE leveraged an additional $9.3 Million,; and,(4)projects EDGE to yield an economic impact of $135 Million for the period 2010-2014.