JEDCO, Delgado Community College celebrate grand opening of River City Site in Churchill Park

Avondale, LA – Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) joined Delgado Community College officials to celebrate the grand opening of the River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center in the Churchill Technology & Business Park Thursday.

The opening of the new 85,000-square-foot facility marks a $27.3 million investment into the future of the regional workforce. Delgado River City is designed to accommodate training programs to support commerce along the Mississippi River including transportation/logistics, marine engine, engineering, and automotive technology on the growing West Bank of Jefferson Parish.

The Advanced Manufacturing Center, housed within the River City Site, will focus on creating a sustainable, skilled workforce to support the industries investing in the region. The facility is a long-term solution to workforce shortages both regionally and around the country. Courses will focus on skills such as welding, precision machining, pipefitting, electrical support, and industrial maintenance.

The River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center is the newest addition to the Churchill Technology & Business Park, a growing asset on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish. Born out of the Jefferson EDGE, Jefferson Parish’s long-term economic development plan, the tech park offers 500 acres of land for a variety of growth opportunities. Currently anchored by the JEDCO Administrative Complex, the Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, the JEDCO Conference Center, and the Business Innovation Center, Churchill Park represents the future of Jefferson Parish.

“The opening of this new community asset in the Churchill Technology & Business Park is an economic development win for Jefferson Parish and the entire region,” said Jerry Bologna, JEDCO President & CEO. “As we envision the future of our Parish, we see the need for a pipeline of skilled workers to grow and support our diverse business community. As Delgado continues to work collaboratively with our employers, the opening of this facility provides Jefferson Parish with a distinct competitive advantage, continuing to cultivate a business-focused environment. We look forward to working with Delgado Community College to ensure this project’s success in the future.”

“We are pleased to announce the completion and opening of these state-of-the-art educational facilities that have been so highly anticipated by our community. Delgado River City will enable the regional workforce to attain the knowledge and skills needed to participate fully in the economic growth that is transforming the Greater New Orleans region at a rapid pace, and we will assist in that growth by providing a highly skilled workforce for the industries investing in our region,” said Delgado Chancellor Joan Y. Davis.

“It is exciting to see continued progress and growth happening on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish,” said Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni. “With the addition of the Delgado River City Site and Advanced Manufacturing Center to Churchill Park, this valuable Jefferson Parish asset becomes more attractive to prospective employers and elevates opportunities for our residents. I commend Delgado Community College on its continued work with the business community to meet the needs of our employers and I look forward to its success on the West Bank.”

Delgado Community College expects to serve close to 3,000 students at this campus. Prospective students are encouraged to visit www.dcc.edu for additional information or to apply and register online.