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Obscure Holiday Calendar for JulyGeneral Business Assistance Information
NOTE: This website was suggested by Baton Rouge Girl Scout Troop #1591 to be added to this list as a helpful resource for anyone who needs the rest of these items, when they were writing their business plans:
Northeastern University's Guide to: Writing a Business Plan
Sofia Bass of Girl Scout Troop # suggests this glossary of business terms for entrepreneurs including resources to further assist those who want to delve deeper on the bottom of the page:
https://www.zenbusiness.com/info/glossary-of-business-terms-for-entrepreneurs/
Resources from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development
Start-Up & General Business Information
- Louisiana Economic Development - Small Business Programs, www.opportunitylouisiana.com/smallbiz, or 225-342-3000
- Louisiana Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), www.lsbdc.org/. See next page for contact information.
- Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE). Visit www.score.org to find a local chapter, get business advice, sign up for workshops in your area, or to access information and templates for business plans and financial statements.
- Starting a Business in Louisiana, www.GeauxBiz.com;Articles of Incorporation, forms, and information on existing corporations; www.sos.la.gov or225-925-4704.
- Baton Rouge Area Chamber Business Guide & Resources - http://www.brac.org/site3.php.
- Small Business Administration (SBA); www.sba.gov/la; SBA has a Start-Up Kit and Business Plan Examples for various industries at www.bplans.com/samples/sba.cfm, or call 504-589-6685 for assistance.
- Louisiana Workforce Commission - Information on Workers' Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, and Labor laws, http://www.laworks.net/Businesses.asp
- Department of Revenue - Online registration for a Louisiana Tax Account Number for your business, http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/sections/business/intro.aspx or 225-219-7318
- Federal Tax Information, www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.htm.
- Federal Tax ID Number, call 800-829-3676 or www.irs.gov
- General Business Information: www.business.gov
Programs for Minority & Women Owned Businesses
- DOTD-DBE Certification (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) - www8.dotd.la.gov/ucp/ or 225-379-1382
- Louisiana Minority Supplier Development Council - offers a Minority Supplier Certification; www.lamsdc.org/ or 504-293-0400
- NewCorp Business Assistance Center - helps minority & women-owned businesses grow and prosper; http://newcorpbac.net/ or 504-208-1700.
- SBA's Minority Enterprise Development - 8(a) Certification Program; http://www.sba.gov/content/8a-business-development; Louisiana District Office: 504-589-6685
- Urban League of Greater New Orleans, http://www.urbanleagueneworleans.org/ or 504-620-2332.
- Women's Business Enterprise Council South (WBEC) - offers a Woman Owned Certification; www.wbecsouth.org, or 504-830-0149
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, http://www.hccl.biz/ or 504-324-6522
Assistance for Veteran-Owned Businesses
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Veteran Business Development, http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/2985
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans' Business website: www.vetbiz.gov
- Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, 225-219-5000 or http://vetaffairs.la.gov/
- Louisiana Economic Development Certification available with the Hudson and Veteran Initiative Procurement Programs, as well as, the Small & Emerging Business Development (SEBD) assistance program; www.opportunitylouisiana.com/smallbiz
Financing and Grant Information
There are NO GRANTS to start up a business.
- Grant information available at www.cfda.gov, www.grants.gov, and www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html
- Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Grant assists small businesses with developing their technological potential and facilitate commercialization, http://www.sbir.gov/
- LBTC in Baton Rouge, Roy Keller or Bryan Greenwood, 225-578-7555, http://www.bus.lsu.edu/centers/lbtc/sbir.asp.
- For SBIR assistance in Northwest Louisiana, contact Diana Simek, 318-671-1050 or http://www.cdconline.org/New/saretcincubator.htm
- Louisiana Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) - Loan Guaranty Programs (through banks only), www.opportunitylouisiana.com, Incentives & Programs, or call 225-342-5675.
- SBA Financial Division http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants or 504-589-6685
- SBA's Loan Guaranty Programs (through banks only);
- USDA Rural Development provides financial backing for businesses in rural areas; http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/LA_Home.html or 318-473-7920
- Federal Government Loans, http://www.govloans.gov/
- Seedco Financial Louisiana, http://www.seedcofinancial.org/louisiana/ or 504-520-5727
- Accion Louisiana Non/Profit organization - small loans, from $500 to $100,000, for startups or expanding entrepreneurs, www.accionlouisiana.com, Louisiana Main Office (888) 580-1886.
State Tax Incentive Programs
- State Tax Credits through LED - Enterprise Zone, Property Tax Exemption, Quality Jobs, Restoration Tax Abatement, Industrial Tax Exemption, and R&D Tax Credit, www.opportunitylouisiana.com, Incentives & Programs or 225-342-5675
Workforce Information
- Louisiana Workforce Commission - Incumbent Worker Training & Small Business Employee Training Program, http://www.laworks.net/Businesses.asp
- U.S. Dept. of Labor Employment & Training Administrationhttp://www.doleta.gov/
Government Procurement Registration or Certification Programs
- Louisiana Economic Development Certification available with the Hudson and Veteran Initiative Procurement Programs, as well as, the Small & Emerging Business Development (SEBD) assistance program; www.opportunitylouisiana.com/smallbiz
- State Purchasing - LaPAC Procurement Enrollment program, http://www.doa.la.gov/osp/vendor_index.htm
- Dept. of Transportation & Dev (DOTD) 225-379-1444; vendor registration, http://www.dotd.la.gov/sitemap.aspx?id=2
- Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), 800-206-3545 or 337-482-6422; http://www.la-ptac.org
Resources for Inventions, Patenting, and Manufacturing
- Louisiana Business & Technology Center (LBTC); http://www.bus.lsu.edu/lbtc/ 225-578-7555.
- Metro/Regional Business Incubator in Northwest Louisiana; http://lbia.org/members/metro_regional_incubator.htm or Diana Simek at 318-671-1050.
- LSU Library, Government Documents section conducts a patent-searching class and has online resources available, http://www.lib.lsu.edu/sci/ptdl/index.htm or (225) 578-5652
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, www.uspto.gov
- Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana (MEPOL), focuses on increased productivity of small manufacturers assists with business and technical needs, www.mepol.org or 800-433-6965
Licensing and Permitting
- Louisiana Workforce Commission - information on occupational licensing requirements, http://www.laworks.net/Businesses.asp
- Licensing for Child Care and Residential Care Facilities, Department of Children and Family Services, 888-524-3578 or http://www.dss.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&nid=179&pnid=0&pid=298
- Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/ or 225-765-2301
- Department of Environmental Quality, Small Business Assistance Program, aids with understanding and complying with environmental regulations, http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/ or 225-219-5337 or 1-866-896-5337
- Department of Natural Resources, Office of Coastal Management, Coastal Use Permits, http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=85
- Department of Health & Hospitals - Licensing Boards, http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/directory/category/142
- Louisiana Department of Insurance, http://www.ldi.state.la.us/or 1-800-259-5300
Local library
The local branch of our state system can assist with business resources and research. Find your local library at http://www.publiclibraries.com/louisiana.htm
Non-Profit Organization Information
· Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO) - 225-929-5266 or www.lano.org
· Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Mid-South Delta Region - 662-335-3318, www.lisc.org
· TEEM Research & Community Development, 504-208-9114 or www.teemedu.org
Construction Industry Information
· Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, http://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/ or 225-765-2301
· Louisiana Associated General Contractors (LAGC), www.lagc.org, 225-344-0432
LOUISIANA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS (SBDC)
Alexandria NSU SBDC at Northwestern University Alexandria, 318-484-2123
Baton Rouge LSBDC Technology Center at LSU-South Campus, 225-578-4842
Baton Rouge Capital SBDC at Southern University, 225-922-0998
Hammond SLU SBDC at Southeastern Louisiana University, 985-549-3831
Lafayette Acadiana SBDC at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 337-262-5344
Lake Charles McNeese SBDC, 337-475-5529
Monroe SBDC (State Office) at University of Louisiana at Monroe, 318-342-1224
New Orleans LSBDC Greater New Orleans Region, 504-831-3730, also handles International Trade
Shreveport LSU Shreveport SBDC, 318-797-5144
Thibodaux Bayou Region LSBDC at Nicholls State University, 985-493-2587
RURAL & SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
Southern University BR, Ag Center for Rural & Small Business Development, www.crsbd.com, 225-771-3785
Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, Opelousas, www.suagcenter.com 337-943-2410
SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATORS
Alexandria Central Louisiana Business Incubator, 318-561-2299, www.clbi.org/
Baton Rouge Louisiana Emerging Technology Center, LSU, 225-615-8904, acoop15@lsu.edu
Baton Rouge Louisiana Business & Tech Center, 225-578-7555, www.bus.lsu.edu/lbtc
Baton Rouge Southern University, Small Business Incubator, 225-771-5640
Baton Rouge Louisiana Technology Park, 225-218-1100, www.latechpark.com
Bossier City Southern University-Shreveport, Small Business Incubator, 318-678-4674, http://www.susla.edu/swmo/index.html
Carencro Enterprise Center of Louisiana, 337-896-9115/5824, www.ecol.org
Crowley Enterprise Center of Acadia, 337-788-7550, ext. 4, www.acadiabusinessincubator.org
Denham Springs Dixie Business Center, 225-665-5223/0809, www.dixiebusinesscenter.org
Hammond SLU, Southeast Louisiana Business Center, 985-549-3199, www.selu.edu
Lake Charles Business Incubator of Southwest Louisiana, 337-433-3632, x211
Marrero JEDCO Enterprise Center, 504-833-1881, ext. 355, mailto:gfrederic@jedco.org www.jedco.org
Metarie JEDCO Business Innovation Center at Churchill, 504-833-1881 http://www.churchillpark.org/
Monroe Northeast Louisiana Business & Community Development Center 318-342-1897 esc.ulm.edu/SBDC/index.html
New Orleans Arts Incubator, 504-523-1465, www.artscouncilofneworleans.org
New Orleans UNO Research & Technology Park, 504-280-3006, kwalsh@uno.edu
New Orleans Southern University at New Orleans, 504-284-5512 http://www.suno.edu/Colleges/Business/small/staff.html
New Orleans NewCorp, Inc., 504-208-1700, http://www.newcorpbac.net/index.html
New Orleans New Orleans BioInnovation Center 504-680-2973, http://www.neworleansbio.com/
Norco Edible Enterprises/Goodwill Industries of Southeast Louisiana, (985) 764-1504 http://edibleenterprises.org/
Opelousas St. Landry Economic & Industrial Development District, 337-948-1391 http://www.sleidd.com/
Ruston The Enterprise Center at Louisiana Tech, (318) 257-3978, http://www.latechenterprisecenter.com/
Shreveport Metro/Regional Business Incubator, 318-671-1050, www.cdconline.org/businessincubator.htm
Shreveport Biospace1 Technology Business Center, 318-213-0200, http://www.intertechsciencepark.com/
Shreveport Southern University-Shreveport, Small Business Incubator, 318-670-9700, www.susla.edu/
Shreveport Cohabitat Shreveport, (318) 757-7997 www.cohabitat.us
Thibodaux SLEC Center for Economic Growth and Technology, 985-448-4485 http://www.bayouregion.com/
Vivian Vivian Industrial Incubator Complex, 318-375-3856, www.vivian.la.us
ADDITIONAL Economic Development AND Small Business Assistance IN Louisiana:
Alexandria Area
Alexandria Metropolitan Foundation, Ms. Johnie Varnardo 318-442-3593
CENLA, Elton Pody, 318-442-6671
Baton RougeArea
Baton Rouge Area Chamber - http://www.brac.org/site338.php or 225-381-7125
Baton Rouge Black Chamber, Eric Lewis 225-261-0424 and Kathy Fletcher 225-907-3253
Baton Rouge SCORE, 225-381-7130 or http://www.scorebr.org/
Dixie Business Development Center in Denham Springs, John Ware 225-665-0809
Louisiana Technology Transfer Office (LTTO) fosters business relationships between industry and federal laboratories with research capabilities with the commercial development potential of the private sector, http://www.bus.lsu.edu/lbtc/ltto.asp
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR), LBTC, Roy Keller or Bryan Greenwood 225-578-7555
UEP (Urban Entrepreneur Partnership), Entrepreneur Coaching and Training, 225-383-1326
Bayou Region
South Louisiana Economic Council (SLEC), Jan Labat, 985-448-4485
Options for Independence - 1340 West Tunnel Blvd, Suite 430, Houma, LA 70360; Katie Sims, (985) 868-2620
Iberia Parish, Iberia Industrial Development Foundation, Mike Tarantino, 337-367-0834
AcadianaRegion
Acadiana Regional Development District - Viola Bellard, 337-886-7782, vbellard@ardd.org
AccessLouisiana, 337-482-0629
Lafayette Economic Development Authority, http://www.lafayette.org/ or 337-593-1400
Southwest Louisiana
SWLA Partnership for Economic Development - George Swift & Justin McMillin - 337-433-3632
Southwest Louisiana SCORE Chapter - 120 West Pujo Street, Lake Charles,LA 70601, Tel: (337)433-3632 (217)
Monroe Area
Ouachita Economic Development Corp. 318-387-0787
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance, 318-757-3033
Natchitoches
City of Natchitoches, Business webpage provides links to the area's primary business resources http://www.natchitochesla.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=375
New Orleans Area
SBA Micro-Loan Program - Newcorp Business Assistance Center504-208-1700
JEDCO - Gaye Frederic, 504-833-1881, www.jedco.org
TEEM Educational Foundation Business Development, 504-208-9114, www.teemedu.org
St. Landry Parish
Southern University Ag Center-SW Center for Rural Initiatives, 337-943-2410
St. Landry Parish Government, 337-948-3688
St. Martin Parish, Beth R. Guidry 337-394-2200 Ext. 262.
Shreveport/Bossier area
Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation - Liz McCain, 318-677-2511 and Tim Miles, 318-677-2508
Metro/Regional Business Incubator, Diana Simek, 318-671-1050, The Coordinating and Development Corp., www.cdconline.org/business_resource_guides.htm//Louisiana
City of Shreveport Fair Share Program - Karen Barnes, 318-673-5060
Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation, David Rockett, 318-742-6043
Caddo Parish Schools Fair Share Program, Booker White, 318-603-6594
North Louisiana Partnership for Innovation (NLPI) - http://www.nlpi.org/ or 318-676-5777
SEBD Intermediaries - Small & Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Program; technical & business assistance, contact:
Alexandria Alexandria Metropolitan Foundation, Johnie Varnado 318-442-3593 johnie@kazette.com
Alexandria City of Alexandria, Joe Page, 318-449-5107, joseph.page@cityofalex.com
Baton Rouge City of Baton Rouge - Dionne Smith-Mars, 225-358-4584, dvsmith@brgov.com
Bossier City SUSLA Small, Women, Minority Business Incubator - Darrin Dixon, 318-670-9700, ddixon@susla.edu
Gonzales Microbusiness Enterprise Corp of Ascension (MBECA) - Lee Melancon, 225-268-9610, mbeca@mbeca.org
Jonesboro Greater North Louisiana Community Development Corp - Janice Simmons, 318-395-9355, gnlcdc@msn.com
Lafayette Manufacturing Extension Partnership of LA.(MEPoL) - Corinne Dupuy, 337-482-6714, cdupuy@louisiana.edu
Lafayette ULL SBDC - Mark Galyean, 337-262-5344, mgalyean@louisiana.edu
Lake Charles Southwest LA Partnership for Econ Dev (SWLAPED)-Justin McMillin, 337-433-3632, jmcmillin@allianceswla.org
Lake Charles McNeese State University SBDC, Donna Little, 337-475-5529 dlittle@lsbdc.org
Monroe Renewal Inc. - Ericka Kelly, 318-387-0686 renewalempowerment@hotmail.com
New Orleans Loyola Univ. N.O. Ctr for Entrepr/LSBDC GNO Region - Carmen Sunda, 504-831-3730, csunda@lsbdc.org
New Orleans SUNO Incubator, College of Bus. & Public Admin. - Cynthia Beaulieu, 504-286-5032, cbeaulie@suno.edu
Ruston Louisiana Tech University - Kathy Wyatt, 318-257-3537, kwyatt@latech.edu
Shreveport LSU Shreveport SBDC - Jane Allison, 318-797-5144, jallison@lsbdc.org
Thibodaux South Louisiana Economic Council - Jan Labat, 985-448-4485, jan.labat@nicholls.edu
http://onlinebusiness.northeastern.edu/the-guide-to-writing-a-business-plan