BATON ROUGE – This morning, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) joined officials from JEDCO (Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission), Greater New Orleans, Inc., and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development to announce the launch of the GNO Food and Beverage Incubator at the Churchill Technology and Business Park. Nearly half of the incubator’s start-up costs were provided by a U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant.
“Louisiana’s food is the best in the world and this incubator will help keep it that way,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Chefs and caterers will use its kitchen space to serve new clients. They’ll grow their businesses and add to our culinary legacy.”
JEDCO recently was awarded $4.2 million from various agencies to launch the GNO Food and Beverage Incubator, including $2 million from the EDA. This incubator was made necessary after the closing of Edible Enterprises, the only food and beverage incubator in the Greater New Orleans area, which sustained severe damage from Hurricane Ida.
The food and beverage industry already has an enormous impact on Louisiana’s economy, especially via tourism. According to Oxford Economics in 2022, over $4.7 billion in direct, indirect, and induced food and beverage sales were generated by visitors to Louisiana. Additionally, the National Restaurant Association says there were 11,275 restaurants last year in Louisiana, supporting over 200,000 jobs.
The incubator will provide small food and beverage businesses and start-ups with commercial kitchen space and technical assistance, in order for them to grow and service their clients. It will include three commercial kitchens and training and demonstration space, totaling 15,000 square feet.
Cassidy praised everyone involved with the incubator for their efforts and was thanked for his support in a statement by JEDCO President and CEO Jerry Bologna.
“It was an honor to welcome Senator Cassidy to Churchill Technology and Business Park today to announce the development of the Greater New Orleans Food + Beverage Incubator,” said Mr. Bologna. “JEDCO received a $2 million EDA grant and matching state and local dollars that will fund the design, engineering and construction of the facility, which fulfills a critical regional need. This incubator will be the only facility of its kind in the area, further solidifying Jefferson Parish and all of Greater New Orleans as a destination for culinary manufacturing and innovation. This project would not be possible without the support of our federal delegation. We are tremendously grateful for Senator Cassidy’s support.”
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