June 12, 2024

Legislators Discuss 2024 Regular Session

The audience at yesterday’s Legislative Wrap-Up Luncheon was fully engaged in the session updates provided by our Northshore delegation, including Senators Patrick McMath, Bob Owen and Bill Wheat and Representatives Kim Carver, Brian Glorioso, Stephanie Berault, Peter Egan and Mark Wright. Together, these members along with Senator Beth Mizell were instrumental in the passing of 70 bills. We appreciate their participation in this program and thank them for their servant leadership which makes our state a better place in which to live and work.

We also want to recognize our President-Level Investors for making this event possible: American Bank, Avala, CGB Enterprises/Zen-Noh Grain, Gambel Communications, Hancock Whitney, Lakeview Hospital, Ochsner Health, REV Business, Slidell Memorial Hospital, St. Tammany Health System and Visit The Northshore. Thanks also to Northshore Media Group as our media sponsor.

Click here for a summary list of bills passed from our Northshore delegation. Event photos can be viewed here.

Great News for State's Economic Development

For those who attended our recent State of Economic Development breakfast with newly appointed Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois and St. Tammany Corporation President Chris Massengill, we heard about the economic development bill that will transform the state department and the way economic development opportunities have been and now will be addressed in the future.

Congratulations to our own Susan Bourgeois, the former CEO of the Northshore Community Foundation, and our Senator Beth Mizell, the author of the bill, upon its passage and signature by Governor Landry.

Click here to read news release.

Congratulations to Vexus Fiber on the opening of their Mandeville at 1890 North Causeway Blvd.! Vexus Fiber delivers 100% fiber internet to homes and businesses in Louisiana, Texas and New Mexico

Issues Making News

Louisiana Legislative Session 2024: Victors and the Vanquished

Louisiana legislators spent nearly five months debating, bargaining and deal-making over the course of two special and one regular law-making sessions. Click here to read The Louisiana Illuminator's article on who prevailed during the 60-workday regular session and who came up short. The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization driven by its mission to cast light on how decisions are made in Baton Rouge.

What to Know About State's Budget

The Louisiana Legislature has committed hundreds of millions of dollars to infrastructure projects and maintaining teacher pay in the state budget plan that goes into effect July 1. Lawmakers also backed Gov. Landry’s tough-on-crime agenda with money for adult prisons, juvenile justice services and a state police expansion. Click here for a rundown of where legislators committed state money.

On the Radio ...

St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill was interviewed by Guest Host Dave Cohen on Newell Normand’s WWL-870AM morning talk show. They discussed some of the progresses made over the years in the economic landscape of the Northshore, and key industry sectors in St. Tammany that have seen growth.

Click here to listen to the radio interview.

Ambassador of the Month

Congratulations to Michelle Schellinger, our May Ambassador of the Month! Michelle serves as Vice President for Red River Bank. She is a dynamic community leader who always goes above and beyond in service to the St. Tammany community. Michelle encourages new businesses to join the Chamber, shows support by faithfully attending ribbon-cutting events and volunteers to help with Chamber luncheons and events. Thank you, Michelle!

On The Calendar

Featured Event: Click here to purchase Southern Nights tickets!

Tomorrow, Thursday, June 13

8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Chamber's Slidell Office

6th Floor Conference Rm.

520 Old Spanish Trail,

Slidell

More Information/ Register

Thursday, June 27

11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Ribbon Cutting for

Category 5 Pickleball

2989 Hwy, 190,

Mandeville

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Thursday, June 27

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Networking: 11:30 AM

Program and Lunch: Noon

Centerwell Covington

66 Park Place, Covington

More Information/ Register

Check out Member Events on the Community Calendar!

Click here to post your events.

Community Calendar

Louisiana Extends Grant Program for Small Businesses

Louisiana Economic Development has received a second round of federal funding for a program that encourages research-focused start-ups to keep their businesses rooted in Louisiana by making supplementary state funding available to recipients of federal Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants.

Click here to learn more about the Louisiana Innovation Retention Grant program that offers awards of up to $100,000 for eligible businesses. Applications will be accepted June 1 through June 30, 2024.

SBA to Unveil New Credit Lines to Fund Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) plans to unveil new government-backed credit lines of up to $5 million for small businesses.

The SBA is launching a working capital pilot program in the coming months that is designed to be more attractive to both lenders and borrowers than the agency’s existing products. Read more here.

Business owners interested in applying when the program goes live should head to the SBA’s website or its pre-screening lender platform.

Your voice of business in St. Tammany Parish!