March 26, 2024
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Building New Relationships
Chamber leaders have been getting to know the many new faces in both parish and state governments during the first quarter of 2024. Initial meetings with newly elected St. Tammany Parish Council members commenced in December and continued in early January prior to them even taking office. Since then, newly elected Council Chairman Arthur Laughlin has worked with our Advocacy & Public Policy Committee leadership to address issues including permitting processes, transportation, drainage, water and sewerage capacity rates—all issues that impact not only future development but current, ongoing quality of life issues. 

Governor Jeff Landry’s newly appointed Southeast Director for Intergovernmental Affairs J.T. Hannan was introduced during an informal meeting at the Chamber attended by Parish President Mike Cooper and members of the Council.
Pictured from left during a recent meeting at the Chamber are Parish Councilmen Arthur Laughlin, Maureen O’Brien and Pat Burke; Gov. Jeff Landry’s Southeast Director – Intergovernmental Affairs J.T. Hannan; Chamber board member Mike Saucier; and Councilmen Kathy Seiden, Pat Phillips and David Cougle. Building relationships among business and elected leaders and government appointees are critical to the Chamber's mission.
St. Tammany Election Results
Elections held March 23 included the district attorney for St. Tammany and Washington parishes, and mayoral races and city council seats in Mandeville and Madisonville. We congratulate all the newly elected and re-elected officials in these races.
Issues Making News
Insurance Industry-friendly Package Approach Hopes to Lower Premiums

Last week the Senate Committee on Insurance approved four bills that are part of Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s pro-industry agenda. Temple has promised what he calls a “free market” approach of less regulation in the hopes of luring more insurance companies to the state. He has said more competition will lead to lower rates for consumers and end the crisis that followed five costly natural disasters over a 12-month period. Click here to read the full article.
State's Bond Rating Raised

Louisiana policymakers recently received good news when S&P announced it raised the state’s bond rating, reversing a 2017 downgrade.

“The report recognizes that Louisiana’s economy is not where we want it to be, but it makes clear that the state’s prudent handling of spending and debt are allowing the state to operate prudently and in a conservative, businesslike fashion,” said Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming, who took office in January. Click here to read the full article.
On The Calendar
This Thursday, March 28
11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting for
Tuesday, April 2
11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting for
Thursday, April 4
11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Ribbon Cutting for
Check out Member Events on the Community Calendar!
Click here to post your events.
Argo Fine Imports Places First in Golf Tournament

More than 100 golfers played in our Swinging for Scholarships Golf Tournament held last week at Money Hill Golf Club with the foursome from Argo Fine Imports placing first. Other award recipients included Closest to the Hole winners Stephen Carell and Scott Nalesnik and Longest Drive winner Larry Montgomery. Our Scholarship Committee is reviewing the scholarship applications, and we will soon announce the three St. Tammany High School senior recipients.

Thank you to everyone who played, volunteered, sponsored and participated in the tournament, and thanks to the Money Hill Golf Club staff for helping everything run smoothly!
President Level/Master Sponsors
  • American Bank
  • Avala
  • CGB Enterprises, Inc./Zen-Noh Grain
  • Gambel Communications
  • Hancock Whitney
  • Lakeview Hospital
  • REV
  • St. Tammany Health System
  • Ochsner Health
  • Slidell Memorial Hospital
  • Visit The Northshore

Ace Sponsors
  • Fidelity Bank
  • General informatics

Eagle Sponsor
  • Cox Business

Birdie Sponsors
  • Citizens National Bank
  • Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co.
  • NOLA Southern Grill
  • Northshore Toyota

Par Sponsors
  • Blue Williams
  • First Horizon
  • Florida Marine
  • OnPath Federal Credit Union
  • Voelkel McWilliams

Putting for Proof Sponsor
  • Xplore Federal Credit Union

Party Hole Sponsors
  • Keesler Federal Credit Union
  • Red River Bank
First place Argo Fine imports golfers pictured from left are Justin Meith, Randy Montgomery, Ryan MacMaster and Robert MacMaster, joined by Chamber Event Committee Chairman Louis Ochoa with NOLA Southern Grill.
Pictured from left are Closest to the Hole winner Scott Nalesnik and Longest Drive winner Larry Montgomery. Not pictured is Closest to the Hole winner Stephen Carell.
Click here to read last week's Legislative Update to keep you informed about what's happening at the Capitol.
On the Radio with Newell Normand

Board member Mike Saucier with Gulf States Real Estate Services was recently interviewed by Newell Normand on his WWL-870AM morning talk show. They spoke about building business and industry on the Northshore while maintaining our quality of life.

Click here to listen to the radio interview.
Travel to Croatia with the Chamber,
Early Bird Discount

Take an adventure of a lifetime—travel with the Chamber to the Very Best of Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast! Our 9-day/7-night trip departs on October 20, 2024, and is an amazing value with prices starting at $3,799, including hotels, meals, day trips and airfare from New Orleans. You do not have to be a Chamber member to participate in the program.

This inspired vacation boasts an extended stay in Opatija, a celebrated resort town visited by Austro-Hungarian aristocracy and nobility since the 19th century and the perfect home base for exploring Croatia's Western Coast and the Istrian Peninsula. In case you didn't know, Croatia features a virtually unrivaled ancient heritage boasting intriguing architecture that's been preserved for hundreds of years. There will even be opportunities to visit Italy's Venice and to travel along the Dalmatian Coast to captivating towns and villages from Split to Dubrovnik and beyond. 

Click here to learn more and to register for our in-person and online informational webinar on Tuesday, April 9, at 3:30 p.m.
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