Lacey Osborne, CEO of the St Tammany Chamber says they have done significant research on the seemingly lost opportunity to have a Fortune 500 company expansion in St Tammany.
In a statement from Chamber Chairman Tom Meyer he says the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce is calling for changes to St. Tammany Parish’s processes for economic and business development and are calling on elected parish council members and the parish president to urge the necessary change. Meyer said at this time last year, the Chamber publicly voiced support of economic development, including tax income and private business development, inclusive of the Medline project (although not at a specific location). One year later―almost to the day― Meyer said St. Tammany has seemingly lost the Medline expansion that would have created 504 jobs and $67.6 million in revenue. He said antiquated current codes and ordinances, a lack of communication among parish leaders, business development organizations and parish committees, and the lack of a standard, clear process for businesses to follow in order to locate or expand in St. Tammany are all contributing factors for the loss.
