About Us
Get to Know GNO, Inc.
Greater New Orleans, Inc. is the regional economic development nonprofit organization serving the 10-parish region of Southeast Louisiana that includes Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes.
Our mission is to create a region with a thriving economy and an excellent quality of life, for everyone. The ultimate indication of our success will be the presence of a robust, accessible, and growing middle class in Southeast Louisiana where our children and grandchildren can live and prosper.
To achieve this goal, GNO, Inc. pursues a two-pronged strategy:
Business Development | Business Environment |
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GNO, Inc. works together with the business community; local, state, and federal governments; and other regional stakeholders to coordinate, consolidate, and catalyze action on key issues and opportunities that maximize job and wealth creation and retention, are relevant to the region as a whole, and create systematic impact.
From workforce development and fiscal reform to coastal stabilization and criminal justice reform, when we pool our efforts toward mutually beneficial outcomes, we can produce a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.
GNO, Inc.’s success is dependent upon three core values:
- GNO, Inc. builds and nurtures meaningful RELATIONSHIPS with other economic development groups, businesses, and others around the state to maximize value for all across the region.
- GNO, Inc. prioritizes RELEVANCE. We focus our efforts on initiatives that matter to the businesses of Southeastern Louisiana and their employees so that they may progress, achieve, and thrive in this region.
- GNO, Inc. is RESULTS-driven organization. We doggedly pursue outcomes, we do what we say we’re going to do, and we put wins on the board.
Rankings & Facts/Figures
Top Economic Development Group in the U.S.
Site Selection, a leading economic development journal, named Greater New Orleans, Inc. as one of the best-performing economic development groups in America for 2023.
Site SelectionEconomic Development Organization of the Year
IEDC selected GNO, Inc. as the Economic Development Organization of the Year, with a “Gold” designation for communities over 500,000 residents.
IEDCInnovator of the Year
In 2019, GNO, Inc. was named Workforce Innovator of the Year by Louisiana’s Association of Business and Industry.
LABIExcellence in Economic Development Research Untitled
GNO, Inc. was recognized by C2ER for their projects supporting policy analysis and local initiatives.
WINCEO of the Year
CEO of the Year President and CEO of GNO, Inc., Michael Hecht, is continually stepping up his game to bring Southeast Louisiana to new heights.
Biz New OrleansEconomic Development: Silver Award
The Silver Award in Business Facilities’ annual Deal of the Year competition went to Greater New Orleans and Louisiana Economic Development.
Business FacilitiesMac Conway Award winner
GNO, Inc. in the Top 10 Economic Development Group in America
Site Selection