By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – A recently released study that was sought by a parish Task Force of civic and business leaders makes one thing very clear for St. Tammany Parish—growth is not expected to slow anytime soon and the parish needs to prepare for it.
Led by the Northshore Community Foundation, the study was conducted by SSA Consultants and pointed to an expected population in 2020 of 338,300, a growth of almost 50,000 people here in only five years.
The study also estimated the population of the parish would be 459,160 by 2030, confirming the need for parish leaders to consider a 20-year plan that answers the question of “what do we as a region want to look like in 20 years?”
After SSA Consultants interviewed dozens of stakeholders, civic leaders and public officials in the region, combined with research for information on the region, a key finding noted there are too many economic and non-profit organizations duplicating services and working towards similar goals for St. Tammany.
A key recommendation from the study detailed a single economic organization which would include only one Chamber of Commerce for the parish, although recent meetings ended the prospects of the two Chambers merging.
The study also said the numerous non-profit organizations are duplicating efforts in many ways, not to mention putting pressure on businesses to fund many groups that are seeking similar goals.
After the Northshore Community Foundation selected SSA Consultants in early 2016 for the report, Phase I resulted in a branding statement for the region. “The Northshore, North of your Expectations” was suggested as the brand name for the region, which by all measurements is to “continue to rank the Northshore region as one of the most desirable regions of the state—attracting new residents and businesses to the area.”
Several key findings from the study include:
–There is a dilution of civic leadership because of the large volume of meetings.
–Monetary resources are spread thin due to the large number of civic-oriented organizations.
–Additionally, the Northshore region has a large number of non-profits adding to the demand for civic leadership and monetary requests.
–The numerous civic-oriented organizations have many meetings, but interviewees could not point to resulting activities, actions or accomplishments.
–The interplay between the Northshore region and other economic development organizations is confusing.
–There is a lot of activity in the region, but there is no established, connected communication hub to disseminate the information.
–There is a wide divergence of opinion on the role and scope of economic development.
–The maintenance of the region’s quality of life is a high priority. Quality of life was most frequently defined as access to nature, recreation, low crime rates, and highly rated public school systems.
Along the lines of too many economic development groups, the study pointed to seven different organizations in the region, all with goals to support business and spur economic activity.
The study said that goals for leaders in the region should be to bring more quality jobs that would raise the median income to at least 20 percent above the poverty level; increase transportation systems such as air, interstate and port opportunities; create a global medical destination on the Northshore that would be a continuation of current facilities that promote the healthy living center of the south; and enhance K-12 and higher education to above the national and international levels of excellence.
On the bright side, unemployment rates in St. Tammany continue to rank below the state and national levels, while public and private schools in the area rank above the state and national levels for ACT scores.
The continued growth for St. Tammany was clearly noted in June, 2016 with a nine-year high for residential building permits, representing a 56 percent increase over June, 2015.
Parish President Pat Brister was quoted as saying “these numbers are an indication that the economy in St. Tammany is strong, diverse and attractive and people wish to be part of it.”
The number of commercial construction permits issued in the parish also remains high, indicating a continued pattern of growth.
Another goal for parish leaders in the future is to have Interstate 12 from I-59 to Baton Rouge become a six-lane highway the entire way.
The study recommended the seven different economic groups consider merging services at any juncture in the near future when consolidation or transition is on the horizon.
Those groups are the St. Tammany Parish Development District, St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation (STEDF), St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission, Northshore Business Council, Northshore Community Foundation, East St. Tammany Chamber and St. Tammany West Chamber.
“Many business and industry leaders who were interviewed as part of this study questioned the need for two separate Chambers,” the study reported. A recommendation was made to create a Northshore Regional Partnership Board that would involve all seven organizations, citing a similar situation in Fairhope, Ala. with a group called the Baldwin Country Economic Development Alliance.
The Alabama group is funded and supported by the county government, 14 municipalities, five Chambers of Commerce, eight Industrial Development Boards and more than 100 privately owned businesses and has created jobs, generated capital investment and increased the quality of life within the community.
Another similar economic board is found in southwest Louisiana where One Acadiana brought together dynamic leaders to work together, identifying critical priorities. The group held a fundraising drive and ended with a $15 million fund that is being used for strategic projects to benefit the region.
The single board was also seen as a benefit since it would greatly reduce expenses each organization has duplicated such as salaries, benefits, rental space, furniture, equipment and more.
The study summed up its work with these proposed strategic priorities:
–Develop a long-range transportation plan and accelerate planning of regional transportation projects to reduce in-region travel time.
–Increase the number and quality of jobs to raise the median income bringing everyone to 20 percent above the poverty line.
–Conduct appropriate land use planning to ensure sustainability of our quality of life as the region continues to grow.
–Protect and advance gains in Pre-K through 12 public education.
–Develop an array of superior arts, cultural and recreational activities to maximize tourism opportunities in the region.