The annual Slidell Heritage Festival will take place June 29 in Heritage Park, and nonprofit groups are encouraged to apply no later than Jan. 26 for a share of the festival funds that will be awarded.
The festival is sponsored by the Slidell Foundation, a joint venture of the two Slidell Rotary Clubs; the city of Slidell; the St. Tammany Farmer and NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. It is designed as a community celebration of the nation's birthday that serves the dual purpose of generating funds for selected local charities. Over the last 20-plus years, it has generated more than $1 million for that purpose.
Applicants must demonstrate a need for the money and explain the purpose for which it would be used. Additionally, the nonprofits selected will be required to submit a final report that validates how the money was used. They will also be required to provide significant support and volunteers to help with this year's festival.
The festival provides a day of family fun in the park each year with vendors, food trucks, live music and a fireworks display.
Nonprofits can download an application for festival funds at www.slidellheritagefest.org, and the completed paperwork must be received by email or postmarked no later than Jan. 26. For more information, contact Barbara Doyle at barbaradoyle79@gmail.com or call (985) 290-6939.
Chamber of Commerce to give leadership, business awards
Outgoing board members will be recognized and incoming board members will be introduced during the Chamber of Commerce's Jan. 16 luncheon from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Greystone, 935 Clausel St., Mandeville. The business of the year will also be honored with the Tammany Award, and a deserving individual will receive the Community Leadership Award. The chamber's Member of the Year, Committee of the Year, Ambassador of the Year and Board Member of the Year will likewise be recognized. Admission is $63 for members, $74 for nonmembers, and $725 for a reserved table of 10. Registration is required at StTammanyChamber.org.
St. Tammany Corp. wins new industry certification
The St. Tammany Corporation has been accepted as an Accredited Economic Development Organization, joining 76 other designees in North America, all certified by the International Economic Development Council.
The so-called AEDO program is a peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession. It consists of two phases, a documentation review and an on-site visit, and each phase evaluates information about the structure, organization, funding, programs, and staff of the candidate economic development organization. Maintenance of AEDO status is required every three years.
“St. Tammany Corporation displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” said Nathan Ohle, president and CEO of the accreditation agency, which is the world's largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals.
Chris Masingill, president and CEO of St. Tammany Corporation, agrees.
“This designation is the pinnacle of economic development organization accolades and is the exclamation point on our body of work over the last five years, signifying that we are indeed a high-performing, professional, 21st century EDO,” he said. “Even as a young organization, we have assembled a terrific team who focus daily on the key priorities and strategic initiatives that enhance our community’s economic competitiveness, and this accreditation is an acknowledgment of the team’s diligence and commitment to smart, sustainable, transformational economic development.”