Washington Parish President -Randy Seal, St. Tammany Parish President, Mike Cooper, Shelby LaSalle, Tangipahoa Parish President, Robbie Miller
The Northshore Business Council’s April Membership Luncheon brought together three of the region’s top elected leaders for a candid and forward-looking discussion on what it will take to sustain growth across Washington, Tangipahoa, and St. Tammany Parishes.
Washington Parish President Randy Seal, Tangipahoa Parish President Robbie Miller, and St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper joined NBC members and guests for a wide-ranging panel conversation focused on infrastructure, housing, workforce development, flood protection, broadband expansion, and parish finance. The luncheon reflected NBC’s continued mission of convening leaders around the people, projects, and policies shaping the Northshore’s future.
District Attorney Colin Sims emphasized that this is not a tax increase but rather a reallocation of existing funds. “We’re not asking for another penny,” Sims stated. “We’re asking parish government to use your money smarter.”
A Region Growing Together
While each parish faces its own unique opportunities and challenges, one theme was consistent throughout the discussion: the Northshore’s future is increasingly interconnected. Growth in one parish affects workforce patterns, transportation demand, housing availability, and economic opportunity across the entire region.
The three presidents spoke openly about the need for stronger collaboration between local governments, state agencies, and the private sector to ensure growth is strategic, sustainable, and beneficial to residents.
Infrastructure as Economic Development
A major focus of the luncheon was infrastructure investment. Leaders emphasized that roads, bridges, water systems, drainage, and broadband are not separate from economic development, they are economic development.
Washington Parish President Randy Seal highlighted the progress of a bridge replacement program that has evolved significantly since he took office in 2016. What began as roughly $250 million in identified needs has become an active program with eight bridges expected to be under construction or completed within the next two years.
Regional transportation priorities were also discussed, including the Baton Rouge to Northshore corridor and continued advocacy for long-term improvements along I-12 and connecting routes. These projects are viewed as essential to mobility, commerce, and future investment opportunities.
St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper detailed one of the largest capital budgets in parish history, with $53 million allocated this year and another $37 million planned in the coming cycle. Active roadway and infrastructure priorities include LA 1088, LA 59, LA 3241, airport access improvements, and multiple drainage and utility projects.
Tangipahoa Parish leaders also highlighted more than $100 million in water, wastewater, and flood mitigation work underway through strong federal and state partnerships.
Housing Affordability and Smart Growth
Housing was one of the most discussed issues of the afternoon. Across all three parishes, leaders acknowledged the growing tension between preserving community character and creating enough housing inventory to keep communities affordable.
President Seal noted that many children who grew up in the region now struggle to afford homes in the communities where they were raised. Lot-size debates, land use planning, and zoning conversations continue as parishes work to balance affordability with thoughtful growth.
Leaders agreed that master planning is essential. Rather than reacting to development one project at a time, parishes are working to identify where industry, residential growth, warehousing, and commercial development make the most sense over the long term.
Tangipahoa Parish President Robbie Miller pointed to a recent housing study showing that roughly 40 percent of the parish’s workforce commutes in from surrounding rural areas. That statistic underscores both the parish’s economic strength and the urgent need for additional local housing options.
Workforce and Retaining Talent
The Northshore continues to attract residents and employers, but keeping younger generations in the region remains a priority. Speakers emphasized the importance of recruiting employers that offer career-track opportunities rather than only part-time or low-wage positions.
Several leaders noted that regional population growth, combined with better job creation, offers a real opportunity to reverse historic talent drain and create stronger career pathways close to home.
Flood Protection, Utilities, and Broadband
Flood resilience remains a critical issue for the Northshore. President Cooper discussed major flood mitigation planning efforts, including long-term coastal barrier and flood risk management concepts that could leverage federal support through the Water Resources Development Act.
Water and wastewater infrastructure also remain central priorities, especially in fast-growing corridors where capacity must keep pace with development.
Broadband expansion was another area of progress. Leaders described significant private-sector buildout already completed, with additional rural expansion still underway. Reliable internet access is now widely viewed as essential infrastructure for economic growth, education, and quality of life.
The Financial Reality of Growth
One of the most candid portions of the luncheon centered on local government finance. President Cooper outlined structural budget challenges facing St. Tammany Parish, particularly around criminal justice funding and limited flexibility within highly dedicated revenue streams.
He urged members to stay engaged as revenue options are evaluated, stressing that public safety, jail operations, courts, and other mandated services must be sustainably funded alongside roads, drainage, and utilities.
The broader message resonated across the room: growth requires investment, and communities must be willing to confront difficult fiscal realities if they expect continued progress.
Why This Conversation Matters
The luncheon reinforced the value of NBC’s role as a regional convener. By bringing together leaders from all three parishes in one room, members gained direct insight into the policy decisions, infrastructure projects, and economic trends shaping the Northshore.
The future of Washington, Tangipahoa, and St. Tammany Parishes will not be built in isolation. It will be built through partnerships, planning, and sustained engagement from the business community.
Looking Ahead
As the Northshore continues to grow, the need for coordinated leadership has never been greater. Transportation, housing, workforce readiness, flood protection, utilities, and financial sustainability are all connected.
The April luncheon made one thing clear: the region has momentum, but maintaining it will require thoughtful decisions and continued collaboration.
The Northshore Business Council thanks Presidents Seal, Miller, and Cooper for joining members for an informative and important discussion on the future of our region.
