March 3, 2016 (St. Bernard, Louisiana): This month, fishermen, coastal businesses, and government contracting agencies will share their skills and first-hand experiences when the Working on the Water Summit and Expo returns to St. Bernard Parish on March 22nd at the Meraux Foundation's Docville Farm (5124 E. St. Bernard Hwy, Violet, LA). Presentations will focus on innovation in the fishing industry, coastal restoration, and business expansion.
The event is designed for fishermen, charter boat captains, and other coastal businesses to learn about opportunities in coastal restoration, ecotourism, and innovations in the fishing industry. Coastal business owners will have an opportunity to speak to government contracting agencies directly and learn new ways to make more money in the down season.
The event will be held on March 22nd, 2016 from 9am-3pm at the Meraux Foundation’s Docville Farm at 5124 E. St. Bernard Hwy in Violet, LA. Though free, participants should register online, in advance, atwww.workingonthewater.com to secure a seat and lunch ticket.
The Summit is the culmination of an initiative to expand the scope of Working on the Water by the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation, the Regional Planning Commission, and the Economic Development Administration. The expanded programming included four hands-on workshops held in Southeast Louisiana in 2015.
The 2016 Working on the Water summit is presented by the Meraux Foundation. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses serves as the captain sponsor. The St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District and the St. Bernard Parish Government are deck hand sponsors.
Partners include Louisiana Economic Development, Nunez Community College, the Meraux Foundation, St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Small Business Development Center, TruFund, Leadership St. Bernard, LiftFund, St. Bernard Parish Office of Tourism, GNO, Inc., National Wildlife Federation’s Vanishing Paradise Program, NOLA and the LA Water Network.
About Working on the Water
Working on the Water is an organization created after the 2010 BP oil spill. Its mission is to support coastal businesses and improve the resiliency of the coastal economy. To learn more visit www.workingonthewater.com.
About St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation is 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 to promote economic development and commercial growth of St. Bernard Parish. The mission of SBEDF is to retain and create jobs, build wealth, and improve the quality of life in St. Bernard Parish. The Board of Directors consists of 28 voting members and 8 non-voting honorary members and public officials, all of which serve as volunteers to the organization. SBEDF’s work is made possible through the general support of its investors, St. Bernard Parish Government, St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District, the Arlene and Joseph Meraux Charitable Foundation and Cox Communications at the Champion Level and the Law Offices of Sidney Torres, III and Associated Terminals at the Pillars Level.
About the Regional Planning Commission
The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) serves as the designated Economic Development District for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parishes as well as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for all of the named parishes in addition to St. Charles and St. John parishes. The RPC is also designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the Local Development District for the parishes is Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, and St Tammany. This regional body is comprised of a 31 voting member board with representation from each of the six core parishes and supported by a staff of planning professionals. This board, which consists of elected officials and citizen members, meets on a monthly basis to discuss issues that are regional in nature.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration
The Economic Development Administration marks 50 years of public service, leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.