Streamlining Access to Global Markets
St. Tammany Parish offers unparalleled advantages for transportation and logistics businesses. Florida Marine Transporters, America’s largest independent maritime transporter of chemicals, dry cargos, refined products and crude oil, employs over 200 on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. The company benefits from St. Tammany’s nearby access to the Port of New Orleans, the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, ensuring competitive transit times. As the only seaport in the U.S. served by all six Class-One railroads, the Port of New Orleans provides direct connections to a 133,000-mile rail network. Nearby ports like South Louisiana, Manchac, St. Bernard, and the future Louisiana International Terminal, further expand the region’s reach.
Warehousing and supply chain operations are equally robust, supported by decades-long commitments from agricultural giants like CGB Enterprises and Zen-Noh Grain. With proximity to two international airports, an average commute time of just 30 minutes, and strategic placement at the intersection of four major interstates, St. Tammany Parish is primed for the success of logistics businesses.
Fortifying Businesses for Success
A range of competitive advantages await professional & business services companies in St. Tammany, making the parish a hub for industry success. The regional workforce pipeline is a key asset, with talent drawn from local professional and technical schools like Northshore Technical Community College.
Professional & business services companies also enjoy office space at a cost well below the national average. One of the largest privately held insurance services organizations in the U.S., Gilsbar, Inc., employs nearly 500 people at its headquarters in Covington. Netchex, a leading payroll and HR software provider, and Ampirical — a designer and builder of electrical transmission projects that invested $20 million into a 78,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in 2019 — are among the more than 400 business services companies that benefit from St. Tammany's talent and competitive business climate.
Partners for Research and Progress
The scientific and technical services industry in St. Tammany Parish thrives with a combination of private corporations and federal assets driving innovation and discovery. Within a 60-mile radius are major facilities such as:
- NASA Michoud Assembly Facility
- USDA Southern Regional Research Center
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterborne Commerce Statistics Center
- NASA Stennis Space Center
- Tulane University’s National Primate Research Center
With nearly 11,000 residents employed in advanced industries and 40% holding advanced degrees, St. Tammany offers a highly skilled workforce. Companies like Globalstar, a provider of satellite and terrestrial connectivity services offering services to commercial and recreational users in more than 120 countries around the world and multiple customer segments, exemplify the region’s expertise.
This strong talent pool, paired with access to world-class research institutions, positions St. Tammany as a leading hub for scientific and technical innovation.
Leaders in Medical Innovations
The healthcare industry in St. Tammany Parish is a cornerstone of the local economy, with four major healthcare centers each employing more than 1,000 people and contributing millions annually to the region. Projections indicate that jobs in this sector will grow by 11% by 2026, as institutions expand to provide care closer to people’s homes.
St. Tammany Parish Hospital was ranked as a Top 5 Best Hospital in Louisiana by Newsweek in 2024, while Slidell Memorial Hospital has been recognized as high performing in kidney failure and pneumonia care by U.S. News & World Report. These accolades highlight the quality of care and innovation driving healthcare excellence in the parish.
St. Tammany’s healthcare ecosystem is bolstered by a robust talent pipeline, drawing from nearby higher education institutions such as Tulane University’s School of Medicine and Louisiana State University’s School of Medicine — both top 10 colleges for health professions in Louisiana according to Niche 2025 rankings.
Recognizing the importance of the sector as an economic driver for the region, St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation is spearheading a pilot program called “Northshore Healthscape” to focus on workforce and talent, ecosystem development and strategic implementation to elevate the region as a destination for world-class healthcare.
