Algiers Economic Development Foundation

A Message From AEDF President Christopher Kane

Dear Algiers Business and Community leaders,

On behalf of the Algiers Economic Development Foundation (AEDF) Board of Directors, I want to thank you for the continued support and commitment to the Algiers community.  AEDF’s mission is to assist in creating an environment that promotes sustainable, long-term growth for Algiers. As I enter into my final year as the President of AEDF, I am happy to report that the Board’s hard work and resolve towards this mission have yielded several significant successes.

In the past five years, Algiers has seen unprecedented economic development.  This is most evident through evaluation of some key economic indicators for Algiers:  50,000 widely diverse residents; 850 innovative small businesses; world-class education systems and facilities; and a community currently constructing over $1 billion in new economic development related projects. Algiers has also developed into the top site of choice for the booming movie industry and is leading the world recognized educational revitalization in Louisiana.  Algiers has added new medical services and elderly care facilities.  And Algiers is home to Federal City, the largest economic development project in Louisiana, which will support an immediate 3,000 military jobs and an estimated 10,000 Federal and civilian jobs by 2018.  Algiers is leading the way for what Forbes Magazine recently called “The Renaissance on the Mississippi.”

In the last two years, AEDF has been busy working with three key economic development elements.  First, AEDF has been focusing on industry support infrastructure.  AEDF’s movie industry committee, the first of its kind according to the City’s Department of Film and Video, is assisting businesses in taking advantage of Algiers’ greatest asset: its location.  AEDF is also working with public and business leaders, including the new NOLA Business Alliance, to attract new retail to Algiers, as General DeGaulle, General Meyer and the Federal City corridors are ripe for significant retail investment.  Additionally, AEDF continues to work with the medical industry to increase medical services in our community.  As a result, we have seen significant investments to construct or revitalize a new urgent care facility, a new medical services facility and an elderly care facility in the last two years.  These sectors represent only a portion of the efforts that AEDF works with on a regular basis.

Second, AEDF has developed and created programs to assist with improving the quality of life while accomplishing its mission to support economic development initiatives.  AEDF partnered with Councilmembers Kristin Gisleson Palmer and Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson to return the historic Algiers bonfire to the Mississippi River front in Algiers Point.  This event attracted over 3,000 locals and visitors.  With similar success, AEDF continues to grow the Wednesday’s on the Point (WOTP) concert series.  As a part of this year’s series, AEDF announced its first ever concert on the River on the 4th of July.  With the help and hard work of the Algiers Point business community, WOTP has grown into an event that brings more than 2,000 attendees to Algiers each week, while generating over $250,000 in direct economic impact since its inception.

Finally, AEDF has worked diligently on a variety of policy issues.  Most visible this year has been the future of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development’s Crescent City Connection Division.  AEDF took the leadership role in creating a collaboration of regional business and civic groups in an effort to create a task force to analyze the various and complex issues of the CCCD operations,  including the future of tolls, policing of the bridge, maintenance and repair of the bridge, related infrastructure and the future of regions ferry system.  AEDF continues to stand in unity with coalition members to advocate for an independent review of the bridge, which would offer insight and recommendations for future CCCD operations.

While there is much more to report from this past year, I would like to close with an important call-to-action: you must get involved.  Get involved in a civic organization.  Get involved in AEDF.  Volunteer at a school.  Participate in Wednesday’s on the Point.  In the next several years, Algiers and the entire New Orleans region have an opportunity to complete the “New Orleans Miracle.”  Take note of some of the recent results:  #1 Brain Magnet in America (Forbes); State of the Year (Business Facilities); #3 Fastest Wage Growth in the United States (CareerBuilder.com); America’s Best City for School Reform (Thomas B. Fordham Institute); Top Ten Cities for Relocation (Forbes); 8th Fastest GDP Growth (February 2011, Bureau of Economic Analysis); and #3 State for Business Investment (March 2011).  In order to accomplish this as a City and a Region, we must all take personal responsibility and do our part.  I look forward to working with each of you to accomplish this mission!

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Kane

President, Algiers Economic Development Foundation

2011 – 2012 President of the Board of Directors

The mission of AEDF is to help the Algiers community grow and prosper by being a catalyst for economic development that provides for a vibrant business environment.

Executive Committee

Board Members

Advisory Board

AEDF Committees

Governmental Affairs / Regional Committee

AEDF’s Governmental Affairs / Regional committee serves as a conduit between Algiers residents and leadership at the local and regional levels. The committee places strategic emphasis on educating and engaging the community on pertinent issues relating to economic development.

Executive Committee

AEDF’s Executive Committee guides the organization’s mission, strategic vision and financial vitality in light of the organization’s founding principles, current initiatives and future plans for Algiers.

Development Committee

The Development committee secures resources to provide a solid financial base, which enables AEDF to fulfill its mission and achieve its vision and strategic goals.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee plans and oversees AEDF’s budget and seeks opportunities to seek opportunities to enhance economic development and community needs.

Marketing Committee

AEDF’s marketing committee incorporates comprehensive outreach strategies to leverage AEDF’s brand and visibility while preserving the cultural and economic significance of Algiers as a local and regional stakeholder. The committee works with regional and state economic development agencies, private sector leaders, and elected officials on site selection and opportunities for new businesses while solidifying growth of the current business sector.

AD HOC COMMITTEES

Annual Luncheon Committee

Annually, AEDF board members, volunteers and staff work collectively to coordinate an Annual Luncheon/meeting, which highlights AEDF’s successful progression throughout the year. AEDF also announces its incoming Board of Directors during this event.

Education Committee

AEDF’s Education Committee leads the Algiers community in developing dynamic partnerships among business, labor, education, community and governmental entities to strengthen workforce development, ensure economic prosperity and enhance the academic performance of students.

Healthcare Needs Study Committee

Healthcare accessibility and services are an important part of the overall landscape of Algiers. AEDF’s Healthcare Needs Study Committee evaluates the current level of healthcare access in Algiers, determines needs, identifies solutions and develops plans to meet health care goals. The committee strongly advocates for healthcare accessibility that covers all Algiers neighborhoods and socio-economic levels for physical and mental health issues.

Film & Video Industry Committee

The Film & Video Industry Committee plays an integral role in providing Algiers businesses with information and resources needed to take advantage of Louisiana’s growing film industry.