The Ascension Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) has named Kate MacArthur, EDFP as its President/CEO. Ms. MacArthur brings twelve years of experience in industrial recruitment and marketing, retention and small business development to AEDC.
MacArthur served as the Executive Director for the Zachary Chamber of Commerce for four years. Prior to that, she was the Director of Marketing & Existing Industry for Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation. MacArthur also served as the Director of Business Intelligence for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber for 5 years targeting the recruitment, retention and expansion of business and industry for the nine-parish capital region of Louisiana.
“I am excited to be working with the AEDC staff, the AEDC Board of Directors and the Ascension Parish community leaders and stakeholders to promote the many great benefits of doing business in Ascension Parish,” MacArthur said.
Kate received a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies with a specialty in International Affairs from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA and a Master’s of Science in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council.
About AEDC
The Ascension Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) was formed for the expressed purposes of diversifying the economy, increasing the tax base and creating quality, permanent jobs by encouraging the expansion of existing enterprises in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, the attraction of new enterprises and to work hand in hand with elected and appointed leaders to maintain and improve the business climate in the Parish
AEDC was created by the Ascension Chamber of Commerce, the City of Gonzales and the Parish of Ascension. Incorporated in the State of Louisiana on June 01, 2005 under the provisions of Chapter 27, Part I of Title 35 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 as amended and federally chartered under I.R.S. Code 501 (C)(6), AEDC is a private nonprofit corporation pursuant to the Louisiana Nonprofit Corporation Law, Chapter 2 of Title 12 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes as amended.
AEDC is governed by a fourteen (14) member Board of Directors. These fourteen members serve without compensation and are appointed for three (3) year terms by the following entities:
-The Ascension Chamber of Commerce: Four Members
-The Ascension Parish Council: Two Voting Members & Two Non-Voting Members
-The Ascension Parish President: One Voting Member
-The City of Gonzales Council: One Voting Member & One Non-Voting Member
-The City of Donaldsonville: One Non-Voting Member
-The Donaldsonville Chamber of Commerce: One Voting Member
-The Town of Sorrento: One Non-Voting Member