12th Annual North Shore Focus scheduled April 14
Friday, April 10, 2015
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND -- North Shore Focus, a regionally-hosted gathering with state legislators, elected officials and business leaders, will be held in Baton Rouge at the Claiborne Building, across from the state capitol, on Tuesday, April 14, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
This year's schedule includes briefings and updates on coastal restoration, higher education, and transportation and development priorities. Presentations will be held in the Thomas Jefferson Rooms A-B and include "Making Higher Education a Higher Priority," by LSU System President King Alexander, LCTCS President Monty Sullivan and ULS President Sandra Woodley; "Getting from Point A to Point B on the Northshore," by Deputy Secretary Eric Kalivoda of the Department of Transportation and Development; and "No More Coasting Along," by Chairman Chip Kline of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.
North Shore Focus is a collaborative advocacy event, designed to provide area business leaders with an opportunity to visit with legislators from across the state and receive updates on the North Shore region's legislative priorities, explained Erin Cowser, Southeastern Louisiana University executive director of public and governmental affairs and Chairman of the Greater Hammond Area Chamber of Commerce. There is no cost to attend.
"Legislators tell us it makes their jobs that much easier when they're presented with collective plans and priorities," she said. "While each parish may have its specific needs and wants, collectively as a region, what's good for Tangipahoa is good for Livingston, what's good for Washington is good for St. Tammany, and vice versa."
Cowser said the event's list of co-hosts represents five parishes this year. Northshore Technical Community College Alumni and the Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association, as well as the Northshore Business Council, are regional partners.
Co-hosts include the Livingston Economic Development Council, Livingston Chamber of Commerce, Livingston Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau, and St. Helena Parish Economic Development.
From St. Tammany Parish are the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation, St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission, and St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce.
Representing Tangipahoa Parish are the Amite Chamber of Commerce, Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce, Hammond Area Economic and Industrial Development District, Ponchatoula Chamber of Commerce, Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation and the Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Washington Parish co-hosts include the Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce, Franklinton Chamber of Commerce, Washington Parish Tourism Commission and Washington Economic Development Foundation.
Chamber members and representatives of the business community are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the individual chamber offices or the Southeastern Alumni Association at 985-549-2150.
