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Months of dispersion throughout the northeast and southern United States has finally seen the COVID outbreak concentrating in rural areas, surging in remote, sparsely populated towns and inflicting a toll on all communities within them. Alongside this rural surge comes doomsday queries: Will rural America be able to survive this storm? Can rural small businesses-theRead more

3. Education and workforce development According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate is 33% for people who do not graduate from high school, compared to 5% for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher. It is imperative that educational opportunities and outcomes are maximized and accessible for all Louisianans. Equitable practices within educationRead more

After months of discussion and evaluation, the RLC released a few long-term recommendations for Louisiana. Their recommendations came in five major categories that would lead to a stronger, more inclusive, resilient Louisiana. The five categories are: equity, inclusion, and quality of life; digital access and physical infrastructure; education and workforce development; small business and entrepreneurship;Read more

In May 2020, during the first wave of the COVID pandemic that hit Louisiana, the RLC issued nine recommendations of near-term concerns for resiliency and recovery. These recommendations were pertinent for the beginning of the pandemic, and still hold relevancy today. Following the near-term recommendations set the path for the state to fulfill the long-termRead more

As 2020 (finally) nears conclusion, the global pandemic that has rocked our economy still continues to influence each and every person, every day. With a vaccine hopefully coming into availability in the near future, things look brighter as the old year ends and the new begins. Yet things will never be the same after this.Read more

The U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service recently released guidance clarifying the tax treatment of expenses where a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan has not been forgiven by the end of the year the loan was received. Since businesses are not taxed on the proceeds of a forgiven PPP loan, the expenses are notRead more

Acadia Parish has officially fallen under 5 percent COVID-19 positivity over the past two consecutive weeks, making the parish eligible to reopen bars under Phase 3 guidelines. In line with Phase 3, Acadia Parish Police Jury President Chance Henry, has formally “opted-in” to have bars and other Class AG permit holders re-open immediately while followingRead more

Gov. John Bel Edwards held a news conference today to explain the latest restrictions as the state moves into Phase 3. Edwards announced that Louisiana will move into Phase 3 starting on Friday, September 11, 2020. Bars can reopen in Phase 3. However, they can open only if the parish they are located in opts-inRead more

On August 4, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, issued new guidance through Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) aimed at helping Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers navigate maximum loan forgiveness. The new PPP FAQs come as the August 8, 2020, deadline to apply for a PPP loan has recentlyRead more

On August 4, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, issued new guidance through Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) aimed at helping Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers navigate maximum loan forgiveness. The new PPP FAQs come as Congress and the White House negotiate a new COVID relief package expected toRead more