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Economic Development

RPC & Economic Development

The Regional Planning Commission (RPC), operating as a Planning and Development District (PDD), supports long-term economic prosperity across Southeast Louisiana by aligning regional infrastructure, workforce, land use, and community development strategies. As a federally recognized regional entity, the RPC partners with local governments, industry, academic institutions, and state and federal agencies to ensure that economic growth is resilient, equitable, and grounded in data.

RPC is designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the Economic Development District for the five parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany.

Our Role in Regional Economic Development

Connecting People, Jobs, and Opportunity

Works across parish lines to understand how workers move, where businesses grow, and what industries need to succeed. By pairing workforce insights with transportation and land use planning, we help strengthen the region’s economic mobility and competitiveness.

Supporting Local Governments and Businesses

Technical assistance, economic data, and strategic support to help communities shape projects, secure funding, and develop plans that position them for future opportunities—whether it’s infrastructure upgrades, site development, or industry expansion.

Guiding Regional Strategy

Align parish priorities with regional goals and federal programs. We help coordinate efforts related to resilience, workforce development, infrastructure investment, housing, freight movement, and climate adaptation—because strong economies depend on strong systems.

Why Economic Development at the Regional Scale Matters

Economic activity does not stop at parish borders. Across Southeast Louisiana, people commute across parish lines, freight moves through shared corridors, and industries depend on regional transportation, utilities, and workforce systems. Regional economic development:

  • Strengthens Competitiveness: A connected region is more attractive for business investment and expansion.

  • Supports Workforce Mobility: Transportation, housing, and workforce systems must align to match workers to jobs.

  • Promotes Diversification: Regional planning supports emerging industries, innovation, and small business growth.

  • Builds Resilience: Climate risk, flood exposure, and infrastructure vulnerabilities require regional solutions.

  • Ensures Shared Distribution: Benefits of economic growth must be shared across communities.

Economic Development Administration (EDA)

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is the federal agency responsible for supporting locally driven economic growth, resilience, and job creation. EDA provides funding, technical assistance, and strategic support to help regions strengthen their economic foundations and prepare for future opportunities.

As the region’s Planning & Development District (PDD), the RPC works closely with EDA to connect Southeast Louisiana communities with resources that support economic mobility, infrastructure improvements, and long-term resilience.

Delta Regional Authority (DRA)

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is a federal–state partnership that supports economic growth, workforce development, and infrastructure investment across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. Southeast Louisiana is part of this nationally significant region, and DRA investments help strengthen communities, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life.

The RPC works with the DRA to help local governments, nonprofits, and partners pursue strategic projects that build the building blocks of long-term economic resilience.

Visit DRA.gov

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) requires the RPC to create and update a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) in coordination with parish economic development organizations and with input from a cross section of business, industry, and civic representatives

The CEDS provides a blueprint for developing projects that may be eligible for EDA and Delta Regional Authority (DRA) funding. Competitive projects align with the goals and objectives contained in the CEDS.

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