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The Small Business Administration’s $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has officially run out of funds. In an SBA PPP report published on Monday, April 13, over 17,000 applications and $3.75 Billion had been approved through the forgivable loan program. The notification on the SBA’s website, states the “SBA is currently unable to accept newRead more

Company to retain 150 jobs statewide, expand existing facility as 85th anniversary approaches CROWLEY, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Supreme Rice President and CEO Bobby Hanks announced a $20 million expansion of the rice mill’s facilities in Crowley, Louisiana. The project will secure the company’s position as a leading rice processor byRead more

By Holly Duchmann Anyone from a church to a Fortune 500 company can establish a Qualified Opportunity Fund to take advantage of the Opportunity Zone program, established through the 2017 federal tax law to encourage private, long-term investments in underserved areas. “Nearly any business can set this up, said Robert Boehringer, tax managing director ofRead more

Tropical Storm Barry has made landfall and is projected to send Acadia Parish quite a lot of heavy rain and wind. However, after the flooding of August 2016, we learned a few tips that worked for our local businesses that might help alleviate your worry. Because, after all, we care about your business. In addition,Read more

This year’s EXCEL Class found themselves immersed into Economic Development for their 3rdsession of the 2019 program! The class was greeted by Katie Chiasson, Senior Business Developer for Cleco and the founder of Leadership EXCEL upon arriving at the Cleco – ULL Alternative Energy Center, a facility conducting research on natural waste products, like riceRead more

Photo by Kevin Brown Home to a strong range of farm and forest firms, Louisiana’s $12 billion agribusiness sector also encompasses food processing, wood and paper manufacturing, and fuel generation. Led by Hunt Forest Products and RoyOMartin expansions, the state’s forest products sector experienced steady growth in 2018. Value-added food projects emerged as well, withRead more

The application period for LED’s CEO Roundtables is now open through March 31st for CEO Roundtables commencing in July 2019. LED’s regional CEO Roundtables convene 15 to 18 qualified, key decision-makers from Louisiana-based small businesses 10 times over the course of a year, for peer-to-peer learning and support through growth-oriented, collaborative roundtable sessions. CEO RoundtablesRead more

CHURCH POINT, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Richard’s Cajun Foods Inc. President Ronnie Doucet announced Richard’s will invest $2.7 million to relocate some production and administrative functions to Church Point, Louisiana, and expand the company’s operations there. With the expansion, the food processing company will retain 38 jobs and will create 12Read more