Message from Our CEO

Thanks to Amy Ybarzabal, St. Tammany’s Legislative Liaison, for organizing a last-minute lunch meeting with members of our Northshore delegation in the Members’ Lounge at the Capitol last Thursday. All of our house members were able to join a group of business leaders from our Chamber as well as the Tangipahoa and Washington Parish Chambers. This enabled one-on-one conversations regarding their sponsored bills and bills related to insurance and tort reform which are main concerns of not only Chamber members, but in fact of all citizens of our state. It was a celebration of sorts since the governor had signed five bills relative to tort reform the day before. These legislators juggle their committee meetings and regular sessions on the House and Senate floors every day. In spite of their daily time crunch, they truly enjoy seeing their constituents at the Capitol, and appreciate the time we take to make the one-hour drive up there.

These same Chamber leaders, plus the Livingston Chamber, will host “Northshore Focus” in the Capitol Rotunda from 11 AM to 2 PM next Tuesday, June 10. It is our way of recognizing our communities to senators and representatives from all over the state. Please consider making the short trip to Baton Rouge to see them in action for this event!

Locally, your chance to hear directly from our delegation will be Wednesday, June 18, during our annual Legislative Wrap-Up luncheon. Details about both events are included below.

Members of the Louisiana House of Representatives from St. Tammany, Washington and Tangipahoa parishes, together with leaders of their Chambers of Commerce, are pictured at the State Capitol last week.

Welcome Our Newest Chamber Members

Meet the latest businesses to join our Chamber family. These dedicated professionals are eager to connect, collaborate and contribute to our business community. We encourage you to reach out, build new partnerships and help our newest members feel at home as we continue building St. Tammany's economic strength together.

‣Arc Document Solutions

‣Crunch Fitness

‣Cultivate Landscape, LLC

‣Globalstar Inc.

‣Nola Cigars, LLC

‣Northshore Mortgage Partners

‣Right Hand Senior Care

‣Three45 Realty

Parish Launches Government Efficiency Committee

St. Tammany Parish has formed TRAC (Transparency and Resources Accountability Committee), a new efficiency task force aimed at cutting government costs through tax restructuring and budget scrutiny. The committee's first formal review is of the St. Tammany Mosquito Abatement District and its $9 million budget as members work to identify potential waste across all parish agencies. Read more here.

Louisiana Considers "Stated Value" Home Insurance

The Louisiana House has approved legislation allowing mortgage-free homeowners to purchase "stated value" insurance policies, covering homes for a declared amount rather than full market value. This option would provide more affordable premiums for homeowners willing to accept additional risk, potentially reducing insurance costs in exchange for lower coverage limits. Read more here.

Landry Signs Insurance Bills, More Pending

Governor Landry has signed six insurance reform bills while dozens more await legislative passage. The remaining proposals focus on tort reform, fortified roof incentives, and dashboard camera tax credits, all aimed at reducing Louisiana's insurance costs and lawsuit culture. Read more here.

Legislative Update: Legal Reform and Energy Policy

Last week's Louisiana Legislative Session featured significant activity as multiple legal reform bills were signed into law while energy policy initiatives also took center stage in ongoing legislative discussions. Click here to read last week’s Legislative Update and stay up to date on what’s happening that could impact your business.

We celebrated Primal Rx's opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new Covington location, 1984 N. Highway 190! Joined by Chamber members and community supporters, we're pleased to welcome this cutting-edge men's wellness and anti-aging facility to the parish. Their specialized treatments help men regain vitality and improve performance. Congratulations!

Congratulations to The St. Tammany Farmer for being named Newspaper of the Year for the sixth consecutive year by the Louisiana Press Association! The Farmer won an impressive 27 awards overall, including 12 first-place honors in their division for weekly newspapers with large circulation. Read more here.

Featured Event: Register here

Featured Event: Register here

Tuesday, June 10

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

State Capitol Rotunda

900 North Third St.,

Baton Rouge

Thursday, June 12

8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Chamber's Slidell Office

6th Floor Conference Rm.

520 Old Spanish Trail,

Slidell

Thursday, June 12

11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Ribbon Cutting for

Kent Jacob Salon

1600 W. Causeway Approach,

Mandeville

Save These Dates

Friday, July 18, 2025—Southern Nights Soireé, The Greystone

Thursday, October 16, 2025—Explore Northshore Business Expo, The Harbor Center

Thursday, November 13, 2025—Business Appreciation Luncheon, Benedict's Plantation

Preparing for Business Growth: Overcoming the "Too Busy" Mindset

(An informative article from the Chamber's Small Business Council member Mann Deynoodt with Deynoodt Marketing.)

Business growth requires preparation, investment, and a willingness to adapt. Many business advisors frequently see companies with strategies to expand, and in nearly every case, success hinges on the business owner’s readiness to embrace change and allocate resources—both time and money—to scale effectively.

The Psychology of Business Growth

A business owner’s mindset plays a critical role in their ability to grow. Some owners, driven by confidence in their abilities, may overestimate their capabilities, convincing themselves they can handle everything—including marketing—without external help. This approach often leads to missed opportunities and stagnation, as they fail to recognize their limitations or the value of specialized expertise. Read the remainder of the article here.

Visit The Northshore hosted our Northshore Young Professionals for a networking social, giving NYPs a chance to tour their beautiful renovated space while enjoying food, drinks and professional connections. Thank you for your hospitality!

Northshore Community Foundation Releases Annual Report

The Northshore Community Foundation's 2024 annual report highlights $8.4 million in grants distributed to local nonprofits, expanded corporate partnerships through the Chevron Fellows program, and new regional annual meetings strengthening community connections. Down the report here.