Jefferson Business Council

THE PURPOSE OF THE JEFFERSON BUSINESS COUNCIL SHALL BE TO TAKE SUCH ACTION AS (CONT'D ON SCH O) WILL ENCOURAGE, PROMOTE, AND ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC POSTURE, SOCIAL WELFARE, AND ENVIRONMENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH AND RIVER REGION.

THE JEFFERSON BUSINESS COUNCIL (JBC) IS COMPRISED OF THE PARISH'S MOST INFLUENTIAL AND CIVIC MINDED BUSINESS LEADERS. MEMBERS INCLUDE DISTINGUISHED SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE PARISH'S LARGEST EMPLOYERS WHICH COLLECTIVELY HAVE A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE PARISH'S ECONOMIC HEALTH. OUR DIVERSE MEMBERS RANGE FROM MAJOR BANKS, REGIONAL LAW FIRMS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS, AND MANY OTHER LARGE AND SMALL COMPANIES. THE JBC ACCOMPLISHES ITS MISSION IN TWO WAYS: BY PROVIDING A PROACTIVE FORUM FOR BUSINESSES, AND THROUGH ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP. WE FOSTER OPEN, FREQUENT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. AS BUSINESS NEED GOVERNMENT (CONT'D ON SCH O) POLICIES THAT UNLEASH THE STRENGTH OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WE ASSIST PARISH LEADERS IN DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH. THE JBC HAS THE MEMBERS, AGENDA, AND DETERMINATION TO ASSURE THE PROSPERITY OF THE REGION'S LARGEST PARISH. SINCE KATRINA, THE JBC HAS BEEN A PRINCIPAL ADVOCATE FOR THE JEFFERSON EDGE 2020 QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS THE PARISH'S MOST CRITICAL ISSUES. THESE INCLUDE FLOOD PROTECTION, CRIME, PUBLIC EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, BEAUTIFICATION, INSURANCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF FAT CITY. THE JEFFERSON PARISH COUNCIL'S ADOPTION OF THE FAT CITY REDEVELOPEMENT PLAN AND THE DRAMATIC TURNOVER IN THE JEFFERSON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD REFLECT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE JBC'S LEADERSHIP. THE JBC DOES NOT ENDORSE CANDIDATES FOR ELECTED OFFICE, BUT OCCASIONALLY WILL HOST OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET AND GREET CANDIDATES. THE JBC PARTICIPATES IN THE SOUTHEAST BUSINESS COALITION WHICH INCLUDES THE BUSINESS COUNCILS OF PLAQUEMINES, ST. BERNARD, ORLEANS, AND ST. TAMMANY PARISHES WITH A FOCUS ON REGIONAL ISSUES SUCH AS THE PORTS, HEALTHCARE AND ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THE JBC HAS STRONG TIES TO BOTH JEDCO AND GNO INC., AND IS A MEMBER ORGANIZATION OF BLUEPRINT LOUISIANA. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS ARE MONTHLY WITH BI-MONTHLY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS. COMMITTEES ARE FORMED AS NEEDED. FOR EXAMPLE, OUR LEGISLATURE COMMITTEE MONITORS PENDING STATE AND NATIONAL LEGISLATION AFFECTING BUSINESS, INCLUDING TAX ISSUES. MEMBERS ARE ACTIVE IN MANY ORGANIZATIONS WHICH RANGE FROM THE LOUISIANA RECOVERY AUTHORITY, REGIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL, BUREAU OF GOVERNMENT RESEARCH, AND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER PROMINENT GOVERNMENT BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS.