Hoping to parlay the city's strengths into a better business climate, Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan recently appointed John Smith as the city's new economic development director. Smith will work on a contractual basis for $2,000 per month, Drennan said. "The city of Slidell has not gone out and worked hard enough to sell itself,'' Drennan said. "I reached out...
Hoping to parlay the city's strengths into a better business climate, Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan recently appointed John Smith as the city's new economic development director. Smith will work on a contractual basis for $2,000 per month, Drennan said.
"The city of Slidell has not gone out and worked hard enough to sell itself,'' Drennan said. "I reached out and tapped John to sell our city a little better.'
Drennan said he was confident that the economy in Slidell would soon perk up. The pace of work on the Fremaux Town Center development off Interstate 10 has recently picked up and a slate of stores could be opened there next spring.
Drennan said Smith's background in banking - he was a longtime executive with Whitney Bank - and his leadership positions with the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce and the parish's Economic Development Foundation will serve the city well.
Drennan said Smith, who lives in the Slidell area, will work three days a week on city projects. The City Council had approved the money in the budget for an economic development director, he said.
In a news release, Smith said he will seek out new businesses, but also wants to make Slidell's climate better for existing businesses, especially small businesses.
"Small businesses are the heartbeat of our city, and we want to make sure that they stay here," Smith said.
Smith in the news release also said he wants to concentrate on areas that could be redeveloped, especially the John Jay Center on Pontchartrain Drive and the Slidell Factory Outlet Mall.
Drennan said Smith's contract with the city is open-ended. "He can terminate it, we can terminate,'' the mayor said.
Smith's appointment comes five months after St. Tammany Parish government appointed Don Shea as its first-ever economic director.