BUSINESS ADVICE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

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|  The Coordinating & Development Corporation  |  Business Incubators  |  Chambers of Commerce  |

|  Economic Development Organizations  |  Small Business Development Centers  |

|  Service Corps of Retired Executives  |  Manufacturers Extension Partnership of Louisiana  |  LSU AgCenter  |

|  Northwest Louisiana Government Procurement Center  |  Louisiana Technology Transfer Office  |

|  AccessLouisiana  |  Louisiana Department of Economic Development  |

|  Small Business Administration  |  U.S. Department of Commerce  |

|  CDC Resource Guides Home  |  CDCOnline Home  |

REGIONAL/LOCAL                      

The Coordinating & Development Corporation (CDC)

The CDC is a private, non-profit economic development organization that provides a wide variety of services for the business community.  These services include: business investment and finance, employment and job training, business development and incubation, marketing, international trade development, and state tax incentives information and servicing.   Contact: (318) 632-2022, www.cdconline.org

Business Incubators

Metro/Regional Business Incubator

Owned by The CDC and operated by its affiliate, the Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center, Inc., The Metro/Regional Business Incubator provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with a wide range of business assistance on both an incubator and “incubator without walls” basis.  The Business Incubator facility offers low-cost rental space for light manufacturing and warehouse/distribution businesses, and shared facilities and office equipment.  Contact: (318) 671-1050, www.cdconline.org/new/saretcincubator.htm

BioSpace1 Life Science Business Center

BioSpace1 is a multi-tenant life science business center. The first floor of the two story facility is reserved for more established life science tenants and contains build-to-suit space. The second floor is a business incubator for start-up companies with 16 wet-lab and office suites (approx. 1,000 sq. ft. each) and 18 additional offices.  Tenants share a Core Lab and four conference rooms. Contact: (318) 213-0200, www.intertechsciencepark.com

Louisiana Tech Enterprise Center

As the primary business support and development outreach arm of the University, LaTEC is designed to facilitate and promote the growth of new and existing ventures in the innovation enterprise in the I-20 corridor of north Louisiana.  The Center’s incubation space and services are focused on early-stage technology companies with a direct connection to Louisiana Tech University. Contact: (318) 257-4343,  www.latechenterprisecenter.com/

Southern University’s Small, Women and Minority-Owned Business Incubator(SUSLA)

Funded in part with a HUD Historically Black Colleges and Universities grant, SUSLA’s business incubator provides support to fledgling businesses by reducing overhead during the start-up period and providing business related services. Contact: 670-6701,

www.susla.edu/Pages/SWMOBusinessIncubator.aspx

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Chambers of Commerce

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Economic Development Organizations

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Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The SBDC is sponsored by the Small Business Administration and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development to identify the specialized management and technical needs of the small business community.  The SBDC provides counseling, serves as an informational resource center, and coordinates and conducts continuing education programs. www.lsbdc.org

Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Lincoln, and Webster Parishes:

Louisiana Small Busi­ness Development Center, Louisiana State University Shreveport, (318) 797-5144, http://www.lsbdc.org/center.aspx?center=18003&subloc=0

Natchitoches, Red River, and Sabine Parishes:

Louisiana Small Business Development Center, Northwestern State University, (318) 357-5611, http://www.lsbdc.org/center.aspx?center=18005&subloc=1

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)

SCORE is an SBA-sponsored program that offers advice, counseling and management training for owners and would-be owners of small businesses.  The local SCORE chapter counsels local entrepreneurs on starting or expanding small businesses.  www.score.org

Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, and Webster Parishes:

Shreveport SCORE, (318) 677-2536, www.shreveport.scorechapter.org/index.html

Bienville, Claiborne, and Lincoln Parishes:

Northeast Louisiana SCORE, (318) 323-0878

Natchitoches, Red River, and Sabine Parishes:

Shreveport SCORE, (318) 677-2536, www.shreveport.scorechapter.org/index.html

Manufacturers Extension Partnership of Louisiana (MEPOL)

MEPoL provides area manufacturers with a comprehensive source of business, management, and technical assistance designed to transform the company into a more productive and cost-effective unit.  Through its services, MEPOL pinpoints barriers to success, then identifies growth strategies to lead a manufacturer to a sustainable future. Contact: (318) 671-7675, www.mepol.org

LSU AgCenter

The LSU AgCenter's research and education programs supply critical information and technology for the state's multibillion dollar agricultural industry from suppliers to producers to processors.  In addition, Community Rural Development (CRD) agents provide educational programming, technical assistance and facilitation services for promoting and strengthening economic development activities in rural communities.  Educational programs are available in leadership, entrepreneurship (starting online businesses) and value added enterprises (agritourism). CRD agents are trained facilitators and can assist communities in developing strategic plans and/or facilitating meetings when a third party is needed for neutrality.  To learn more about the community rural development program, visit www.lsuagcenter.com and click on "Parish Offices" and request the assistance of a community rural development agent.  

Northwest Louisiana Government Procurement Center

This agency helps companies find and secure government contracts, assists with marketing and technical aspects of government contracts, and offers specialized assistance to clients in areas such as Construction and Environmental contracting and subcontracting.  Contact: (318) 677-2530, www.lagpc.org

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STATE AGENCIES

Louisiana Technology Transfer Office(LTTO)

This agency serves as a technology clearinghouse for Louisiana businesses and industries.  Through close ties with NASA and the Federal Laboratory Consortiums, LTTO has a wealth of talent and technology available to help a business with technology licensing,  commercialization, procurement, and problem-solving.  Also assists companies prepare Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant applications. Contact:  (225) 578-7555, LTTO or Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center, Inc., (318) 671-1050.

AccessLouisiana

AccessLouisiana is an electronic directory of Louisiana companies that promotes business-to-customer and business-to-business commerce in Louisiana.  AccessLouisiana provides a free, on-line resource for Louisiana companies to post information about their business, including contact information, products and/or services, certifications, and geographical markets of interest.  This information will be accessible to anyone searching to buy Louisiana products. The goal is to increase sales and business-to- business partnerships for Louisiana companies. Access Louisiana

Louisiana Department of Economic Development

The department's goal is to develop and implement programs for the growth, stabilization and diversification of the Louisiana economy.  Unless otherwise noted, the address for the department and its divisions is: 1051 North Third St., Baton Rouge, La. 70802-5239. Contact: (800) 450-8115, or (225) 342-3000, www.louisianaeconomicdevelopment.com/

The following LED programs are available to assist small businesses:

Microenterprise Development Program (MED) – To help the innermost core of our economy, the Microenterprise Development Program provides economic literacy training, mentoring and financial counseling to Louisiana's underserved urban and rural populations. Communities are embracing self-employment as a way to alleviate poverty. Starting capital made available to qualified MED participants, coupled with LED's forward-thinking expertise, gives entrepreneurs the competitive advantage they need to succeed. Contact: (225) 342-5667, MED

Small and Emerging Business Development Program (SEBD) – To help businesses help themselves, LED serves in a supportive role to local centers offering new and small businesses the training, technical and managerial assistance they need. Through the Small and Emerging Business Development program, new companies receive help in marketing and accounting, along with the professional encouragement they seek every step of the way.  Contact: (225) 342-4320, SEBD.   To register your business with LED’s SEBD program, click here for application.

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Hudson Initiative - Small Entrepreneurship Certification Program – When Louisiana small businesses need help, the first place to turn is LED. Becoming certified in the Hudson Initiative - Small Entrepreneurship Program is a great first step in achieving a competitive advantage for your business. Once you become certified, you'll be in a position to be considered for state procurement and public contracts. And to facilitate the process, LED provides an easy, on-line application. Contact: (225) 342-4320, Hudson Initiative.  To register your business with State’s Hudson Initiative, click here for application.

Bonding Assistance Program (BAP) – When a qualified Small and Emerging Business requires quality bid, performance and payment bonds from surety companies at reasonable rates, the Bonding Assistance Program can help. By providing companies the ability to bid on private and public jobs, the Bonding Assistance Program helps entrepreneurs are find new opportunities to move forward and compete for projects that will lead to financial security and potential growth.  Contact: (225) 342-4320, BAP

Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute (LCAI) – LCAI, a partnership between LED and Louisiana Community & Technical College System, assists small and emerging construction businesses. The institute is now accepting applications for its course beginning March 6. Taught by industry leaders, participants will learn about construction management and how to prepare for the General Contractors State Licensing Exam.  Contact: (225) 342-4320, LCAI

International Services

Companies operating in Louisiana and internationally-based businesses can take advantage of resources through Louisiana Economic Development’s International Services office. International Services facilitates the export of Louisiana’s goods and services and assists companies from around the world in identifying strategic partners and locations for business development in the state. ­Contact: (225) 342-4323, International Services

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FEDERAL AGENCIES

Small Business Administration – www.sba.gov.  In addition to the SBA’s Internet-based Government Procurement Opportunities programs, (see Government Procurement Opportunities Section of this Resource Guide), SBA also offers other programs beneficial to small businesses, including;

Online Entrepreneurial Training – The Small Business Training Network is a virtual campus housing free training courses, workshops and knowledge resources designed to assist entrepreneurs and other students of enterprise. The Training Network makes SBA's business management resources available anytime and anywhere. It is a dynamic learning center designed to help small businesses compete in a constantly changing, global environment.  www.sba.gov/services/training/index.html

Government Contracting/Business Development – The Office of Government Contracting (GC) works to create an environment for maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards and large prime subcontract awards. GC advocates on behalf of small business in the federal procurement world. The Office of Business Development is designed to help minority and small disadvantaged businesses participate more fully and successfully in the mainstream National economy. www.sba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/contracting/index.html

SBA Office of Advocacy – This office’s mission is to encourage policies that support the development and growth of American small businesses. Advocacy represents the nation's small businesses within the federal government; conducts policy studies; and compiles statistics on small business characteristics and contributions. www.sba.gov/advo/index.html

Office of Women’s Business Ownership – OWBO promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through programs that address business training and technical assistance, and provide access to credit and capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities. www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/onlinewbc/index.html

Veteran’s Business Development – Designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and mentoring, and training for eligible veterans owning or considering starting a small business. The SBA has three organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC).

www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/ovbd/index.html

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U.S. Department of Commerce – www.commerce.gov. 

While the SBA is the primary federal agency that advises and assists small businesses, the U.S. Depart­ment of Commerce has a number of programs that provide information and/or services to U.S. businesses, including:

Bureau of Economic Analysis – BEA is the Nation's accountant, interpreting data to draw a complete picture of the U.S. economy. BEA's economic accounts provide information on economic growth, regional development, and  the Nation's position in the  world economy. www.bea.gov/

Bureau of the Census – The Constitution commands that a census be taken every 10 years. The purpose is the apportionment of seats in Congress, but the information collected provides the cornerstone of knowledge about the people of our nation.  www.census.gov/

Minority Business Development Agency – This agency was created spe­cifically to encourage the growth of minority-­owned businesses in the United States.  It coordi­nates federal government plans, programs and operations that affect minority business enter­prises.  It promotes and coordinates the activities of government and private organizations that help minority businesses grow.  It collects and distributes information to help those interested in starting or expanding a minority-owned firm, and it provides financial assistance to organizations to provide management and technical assistance to minority entrepreneurs. www.mbda.gov/

Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) – The Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is an advocacy and advisory office responsible for promoting the use of small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone small businesses within the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) acquisition process. www.osec.doc.gov/osdbu/

Patent and Trademark Office – For over 200 years, the basic role of PTO has been to promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for authors and inventors the exclusive right to their writings and discoveries for a limited time. www.uspto.gov