Blog

Due to the pandemic, the way businesses have had to conduct themselves and their business has altered dramatically. The digital age has indeed come full force upon us, with Zoom conferences, online classes, and digital marketing being utilized by every industry. Yet even with this emphasis on digital means of connecting, local businesses still relyRead more

The end of the year is nigh, and for many businesses around the country, the time to think about renewing or joining membership organizations are among the many decisions to make. While many businesses are members of industry specific organizations, there is one organization that is open to any industry: a Chamber of Commerce. ThereRead more

The holiday season is in full gear! Every year we like to remind our members and customers of Acadia Parish to shop local businesses first! Local shopping is critical for continued growth of the community because the success of those local businesses directly affects each citizen. For every $100 that is spent at a localRead 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 businesses around the country prepare for the holiday shopping frenzy, it is important for communities to support their local small businesses. One way that they can do this is by participating in Small Business Saturday! Celebrated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the day after Black Friday and before Cyber Monday, SBS is an importantRead more

In today’s competitive environment, small businesses must identify ways to find new customers, increase sales and achieve marketing success. Creating new marketing strategies will not only give you a competitive edge, but can help to increase your profits. And as many small businesses look toward the holiday season, particularly Small Business Saturday, the time toRead more

As September comes to Louisiana, things begin to pick up. Schools have opened, football teams have begun their seasons, and (fingers crossed) cool fronts are heading our way. For our state, and specifically us in Acadia Parish, the month also is important as the celebration of one of our most influential crops: rice! That’s right!Read 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