10-year economic summary released

Published on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 8:43 AM CDT

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The St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation recently released its 10-year summary of economic activity in the parish at a luncheon for business leaders in Slidell.

The document, which covers data from 1997 through 2007, shows significant growth in population, employment and other key indicators and bodes well for St. Tammany’s future in uncertain times.

The summary shows a 32 percent increase in St. Tammany’s population over the 10-year period. Although population estimates vary widely by source, EDF executive director Brenda Reine-Bertus said current data is as accurate as can be expected until completion of the 2010 Census.

Retail sales volume grew from $1.7 billion to $4.3 billion over the 10-year period, an increase of more than 150 percent.

Sales tax collections by local governments boomed $82 million to $209 million over the same time span.

The number of jobs grew from about 50,000 in 1997 to about 75,000 in 2007. Median family income increased from $50,000 to $81,000 a year.

“The previous 10 years of growth and prosperity, even in the face of natural disaster and demographic shifts, is not undone by current crises in certain economic sectors. St. Tammany’s past has been brilliant, and our future continues to be bright,” Reine-Bertus said.

The 10-Year Summary will be available on the Web at www.stedf.org. To request a printed copy, call 809-7874 or e-mail info@stedf.org.

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