As a Black and Native American commercial developer, I am putting my heart, soul, and capital into creating a manufacturing hub at the eastbound entrance to the city of New Orleans. Representing the largest privately owned commercial development in Eastern New Orleans (District E), I've been facing unjust obstacles that are hindering the progress and future prosperity of our community. Among the most significant barriers, I am being denied access to sewage installation from the municipal trust.

This obstacle is not just a personal issue. It is denying the creation of over 50 full time jobs and restricting the development of food and beverage opportunities in the New Orleans East community. These opportunities constitute generational wealth building ventures for our community. Alongside, this obstruction is directly deterring our journey to ripple economic development in an area that needs it the most.

In refusing to grant access, the municipal trust is not just delaying a property development, but potentially hampering the socio-economic growth of an entire community. It is time we unite and demand fair access to essential utilities for all developers, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.

I urge you to sign and share this petition imploring the municipal trust to grant fair, unbiased access to sewage installation for this significant commercial development, which promises to usher in new opportunities for community development and job creation. Stand for fair access, stand with us. Sign the petition.

Aerial Video: https://youtu.be/mIxqPSMAGbA

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Tribal Business News
People on the Move in Indian Country
Link: https://tribalbusinessnews.com/sections/economic-development/14804-people-on-the-move-in-indian-country-6?fbclid=IwY2xjawEx_dBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYA4xW7s3zuGb77Bi4skaQ780K0C3rBmeXXDa9PXGkCKsT-L_hsPZFWpEQ_aem_YPOceN7vecK0n8lSJEw7Sg

Site Update #2 Thu Apr 24 2025

I have received a will serve commitment of service from Entergy, as infrastructure for those utilities are already in place.  However, all other progress is currently stalled on the development due to the nature of being unable to get sewage installed.  I am still landscaping, adding fill, and maintaining the property myself and documenting changes via my aerial drones. 

Based on my background experience and postgraduate academic master's education in zoning for the city of New Orleans, I do have a thorough understanding of New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinances related to the City's Master Plan.  It is within Sewage & Water Boards municipal responsibilities to ensure access to utility infrastructure for commercial parcels to get into commerce.  For reference; this is specifically implied in Article 20 of New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.  This law of municipality states that basic utilities be applied to commercially zoned parcels of land.  My family has owned this property since 2016 and have invested heavily into turning this blighted corridor into a beautiful landscape to be the inroads to create multiple food and beverage enterprises.  It is the largest privately owned commercial development on the i-10 corridor of Orleans Parish and we are woefully disparaged and lacking of support in a manner that is inescapably systemic in nature.

About the creator/stake holder of petition:

• Jon L. Renthrope, 37, is a native New Orleanian and member of the United Nation of Houma Indians, an indigenous tribal community located in the bayou region of Southern Louisiana.
• CEO of Cajun Fire Brewing Company, the first Black/Native owned brewing company in the U.S. South, and an internationally recognized Brewmaster by trade profession. 
• Cultural ambassador for the historic Treme' Community
• Founding board member of the National Black Brewers Association
• Standing President of the National Black Brewers Association
• Alumnus of St. Augustine High School
• Member of 100 Black Men of Metro New Orleans
• Board member of Louisiana District Export Council, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
• Board member of the New Orleans Regional Business Park, appointed by Mayor Latoya Cantrell administration to serve as a board commissioner. 
• Black Enterprise Magazine ‘Top 5 Blacks in Alcohol Manufacturing.
• Alumnus of The University of Florida, from which he is an honoree of the 40 under 40 club.
• Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated
• Lead project manager of The New Orleans East Cultural Hub the largest privately owned commercial development in Eastern New Orleans.
• CEO of Levee World International
• COO of Bridge Forest Investment Corporation