Mayor Moreno Unveils New Economic Development Team Focused on New Orleans East

NEW ORLEANS — Mayor Helena Moreno on Monday announced a new economic development leadership team aimed at attracting investment and accelerating growth across New Orleans, with a particular emphasis on New Orleans East.

FILE PHOTO: Mayor Helena Moreno holds a press conference about lighting in New Orleans East, Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026 (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)

The newly formed team is part of the Moreno administration’s broader effort to strengthen the city’s economic development strategy, expand business partnerships and pursue long-term investment opportunities in areas that city leaders say have significant untapped potential. New Orleans East, which comprises nearly two-thirds of the city’s land area, has been identified as a key focus of those efforts.

As part of the reorganization, Dr. Jenny Mains will transition into a new role as Special Advisor to the Mayor for International Partnerships and Strategic Economic Development. In that position, Mains will work to cultivate relationships with business leaders, investors, trade organizations, educational institutions and international partners in an effort to attract new investment to the city.

Mayor Moreno also announced that Jeff Schwartz, who currently serves as director of the Office of Community Development, will become Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Community Development. City officials said Schwartz will oversee efforts related to business attraction, retention, workforce development and community investment initiatives.

According to the mayor’s office, the administration hopes the revamped economic development structure will help streamline collaboration between city departments and regional partners while creating new opportunities for residents and businesses.

Residents and business leaders in New Orleans East have long called for increased economic investment in the area, which has seen renewed interest in recent years through major projects involving industry, retail and recreational development. Supporters of the mayor’s initiative say sustained public-private partnerships will be critical to bringing additional jobs, commercial activity and infrastructure improvements to the eastern part of the city.

The announcement comes as the Moreno administration continues to outline its economic vision for New Orleans, emphasizing business growth, workforce development and neighborhood revitalization as key priorities for the city’s future.