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St. Tammany Parish Steering Committee. Strengths & Weaknesses Assessment January 29, 2003. Agenda. Results of Leadership Survey Interview Findings & Preliminary Strengths & Weaknesses Report (Opportunities & Threats will come later) Update on Leadership Workshop. Leadership Survey.
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St. Tammany Parish Steering Committee Strengths & Weaknesses Assessment January 29, 2003
Agenda • Results of Leadership Survey • Interview Findings & Preliminary Strengths & Weaknesses Report (Opportunities & Threats will come later) • Update on Leadership Workshop
Leadership Survey • Seventy responses out of 300 mailed (~25% response rate) • 110 questions on • Quality of Life • Education • Government • Leadership • Labor • Transportation • Utilities • Real Estate • Capital • Markets
Interviews • 30+ confidential interviews in total • 13 with major employers • 3000+ jobs • Sample of manufacturing, headquarters, technology, office & warehouse employers
Overall Findings • Many large locally controlled companies • half launched by regional entrepreneurs • Overall business climate in this region is rated as “good” by employers • Quality of Life rated as “excellent” with few problems with national relocations • Softness with scientists and advanced tech sector because of Louisiana image
Labor Findings • Labor market is excellent for offices and good for manufacturing • No complaints about basic skills of applicants • Productivity is rated as “very good” with little problems from turnover or absenteeism • Some softness in IT because of small talent pool
Labor Force Entrants • The local labor market produces more applicants than commonly thought • Job growth can exceed 2.5 percent without changing unemployment rates
OPERATING COSTS Gulf Coast Competitors • Mobile • Biloxi-Gulfport & Hancock County, MS • Houma • Jackson • Lafayette • Baton Rouge • New Orleans
National Market Access • Region not located to serve distribution sensitive companies
Regional Market Access • Eastern St. Tammany within 20% of Atlanta
Gulf Coast Market Access • Gulf Coast position is good
Office Positions • Moderate cost with excellent talent pool
Technology Positions • Higher wages suggest a smaller talent pool
Manufacturing Positions • Moderate costs for manufacturing
Power Costs • Moderate costs except for the largest loads
Occupancy Costs • Moderate cost but limited inventory for office or plant
Business Park Prices • Higher prices than Dallas, Houston or Raleigh
Water & Wastewater • Capacity is limited for business parks & prices are high
Construction & Taxes • Higher than MS in costs and double in property tax
Overall Strengths & Weaknesses Compiled From All Sources
Strengths I=Interviews, C=costs, L=Leadership Survey, E=employers
Neutrals I=Interviews, C=costs, L=Leadership Survey, E=employers
I=Interviews, C= costs, L=Leadership Survey, E=Employers Weaknesses
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS • Targeting (Threat & Opportunities) • Land Use evaluation • Leadership workshop • Economic development 101 • Socio-economic trends & St. Tammany Parish • Vision for the future – a small-group consensus envisioning process • Economic development priorities – a small group process • Path forward
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS FINAL STRATEGY • Development of strategic actions to address key economic development issues • Review of vision, goals, and action plan by steering committee • Initial draft for public review • Public presentations for feedback • Final plan