ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS (By Name)

Baton Rouge Area Chamber
Kate MacArthur, Director of Business Intelligence
564 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
TELEPHONE: (225) 381-7125  FAX: (225) 336-4306
EMAIL: kate@brac.org
INTERNET: http://www.brac.org

Overview: The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) is at the forefront of important economic development issues facing Louisiana's Capital Region and is responsible for the recruitment, retention, and expansion of business and industry in the nine-parish Baton Rouge region. The goal is to create wealth within the region as measured by job creation, payroll, capital investment, and public return on investment. BRAC also serves as the primary advocate and change agent for the region's business community. Additionally, BRAC provides newcomer information, economic, economic and demographic information, new business information, The Region Guide, and city maps.

Baton Rouge Business and Career Solution Center, Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Cynthia H. Douglas, Chief Administrative Director
4523 Plank Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70805
Phone: (225) 358-4509  Fax: (225) 358-8610
Email: cdouglas@brgov.com  Website: www.brwib.com

Overview: Training and employment service for economically disadvantaged youths and adults. Provides opportunities for occupational skill training, educational upgrading, job search assistance and other supportive services for adults and in-school youth ages 14-16 as well as out-of-school youths ages 17-21. Individuals must possess barriers to employment. Additional services include Summer Youth Employment Opportunities and Dislocated Workers Employment and Training Program (for individuals who lost a job through no fault of their own).

Big River Economic and Agricultural Development Alliance (BREADA)
Copper Alvarez, Executive Director
P.O. Box 3976, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: (225) 267-5060   Fax: (225) 387-6153
Email: market@breada.org Website: http://www.breada.org

Overview: BREADA is a non-profit organization that encourages the local production and sale of food as a means of improving the local economy, creating new jobs and fostering stewardship of rural lands in Louisiana. BREADA works to build a healthy local food system, increase sustainability of small family farmers and food producers, and build community through public markets. Red Stick Farmers Market and Main Street Market are special projects of BREADA.

Capital Park Community Development Corporation
Lisa Williams, Executive Director
4000 Gus Young Ave., Suite 204, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone: (225) 343-1720   Fax: (225) 343-5528

Overview: Non-profit community development corporation formed to build homes for low-to moderate-income buyers, with a goal of boosting surrounding property values and encouraging neighbors to start community improvement projects.

Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC)
Don W. Neisler, Executive Director
333 North 19th St., P.O. Box 3355, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3355
Phone: (225) 383-5203   Fax: (225) 383-3804
Email: dneisler@brgov.com    Website: www.crpc-la.org

Overview: The Capital Region Planning Commission is the planning district office responsible for economic development planning for 11 parishes it serves in the Baton Rouge area (State Planning District 2). CRPC provides long-range planning and technical assistance to its parish and municipal governments, as well as Enterprise Zone Program assistance to businesses and individuals. Planning District 2 is comprised of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana Parishes. 

City-Parish Office of Community Development
Charles P. "Chip" Boyles II, Urban Development Director
Mukadas Alli-Balogun, "Alli" Assistant Urban Development Director
300 Louisiana Ave., 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 1471
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: (225) 389-3039  Fax: (225) 389-3939
Email: gjenne@brgov.com  Website: www.brgov.com/dept/ocd

Overview: The Office of Community Development (OCD) is responsible for planning, administering, and evaluating various federally funded programs for the City-Parish of East Baton Rouge. These programs which include, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), provide funds on an annual basis from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The primary objective of these programs is the development of a viable urban community including decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanded economic opportunities principally for persons of low and moderate income. OCD also receives funding annually from Louisiana Housing finance Agency (LHFA) to administer the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The Weatherization Program is a part of the State of Louisiana and a nationwide Energy Conservation initiative. The program promotes energy conservation by making minor repairs to houses of eligible low income residents of East Baton Rouge Parish.

City-Parish Planning Commission Office
Barrett R. Chaix, Coordinator, Economic/Environmental Research
1755 Florida Street, 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 1471
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: (225) 389-3144   Fax: (225) 389-5342
Email: bchaix@brgov.com
Website: www.brgov.com/dept/planning

Overview: Administers the City-Parish Enterprise Zone Program, a tax incentive program for new and expanding businesses located in designated areas in East Baton Rouge Parish. Administers the Baton Rouge Brownfields Program, which aims to encourage and facilitate the cleanup, redevelopment and reuse of potentially contaminated properties in the City-Parish.

Dixie Business Center
John D. Ware, Jr., Executive Director
1810 S. Range Ave., Denham Springs, LA 70726
Phone: (225) 665-0809   Fax: (225) 665-8171
Email: johnw@demco.org
Website: www.dixiebusinesscenter.org

Overview: A small business incubator that offers affordable office space, shared services, and business counseling for new and expanding businesses to enable them to grow and prosper while acquiring the assets that will lead to a successful transition to the business community. Participating businesses may utilize the Center’s resources to cultivate important networking and managerial skills without the difficult initial expenses that are necessary in a start-up business situation. The center can also assist businesses, locate financing and loan guarantee programs.

Dixie Electric Membership Corporation
Cheryl Malbrough, Manager, Economic Development
P.O. Box 15659 Baton Rouge, LA 70895
Phone: (225)  261-1221 Ext. 215  Fax: (225) 261-0766  
Email: cherylm@demco.org
Website: http://www.dixiebusinesscenter.org

Overview: Dixie Electric Membership Corporation is a private, non-profit membership corporation that exists to serve members/customers through professionally trained employees providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity as well as other high quality products and services thereby stimulating the economic growth of the Baton Rouge area.

Downtown Development District
Davis Rhorer, Executive Director
227 Florida St., Baton Rouge, LA  70801
Phone:  (225) 389-5520    Fax:  (225) 389-5523  or
Email: ddd@brgov.com  Website: www.downtownbatonrouge.org

Overview: The Downtown Development District offers several programs to encourage new businesses to locate in the downtown area. These programs include: Downtown Low Interest Loan Program; Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit; and Five-Year Property Tax Abatement on Improvement to Structures. The District is also a designated Economic Development Zone under the Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program.

Entergy
Shelly MacNary, Director
Economic Development Office
5353 Essen Lane, Suite 120, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Phone: 1-800-542-2668, (225) 763-5060  Fax: (225) 763-5254
Email: smacnary@entergy.com
Website: http://www.entergy.com/laed

Overview: Entergy’s “Teamwork Louisiana” promotes coordinated efforts by business, government and civic leaders to work together to develop Louisiana’s economy. Economic development activities include recruiting, trade shows, community development and site selection. Entergy’s Economic Development Group maintains a database of available industrial buildings and sites within the state of Louisiana, which will be available on Entergy’s web site sometime in 1998.

Geaux Biz.com
Steven L. Windham, CEcD, EDFP, CPA Inactive Deputy Secretary
8585 Archives Ave., P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Phone: (225) 925-4717 Fax: (225) 925-4410
Email: steve.windham@sos.louisiana.gov
Website: http://www.sos.louisiana.gov

Overview: Provides individuals and businesses with information on licenses, permits, and other requirements for doing business in Louisiana. They give current and potential business owners a single place to go for the necessary contacts needed to start a business. The staff will customize a checklist for your specific licensing needs, which include local and state licensing requirements, employment information, as well as quasi-governmental agencies that can assist you in starting your business.

Habitat for Humanity
Lynn Clark, Executive Director
4962 Florida Blvd., Suite 409, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 927-6651   Fax: (225) 927-6347
Email: lynn@habitatbr.org Website: http://www.habitatbr.org

Overview: Provides simple, decent housing for eligible low-income families. Volunteers donate their time and recipients participate and repay the cost of a no-interest loan. Program uses private and government funds for house building.

Louisiana Business & Technology Center
Charles D’Agostino, Executive Director
Louisiana State University,  LSU South Research Park
8000 GSRI Ave., Bldg. 3000 Room 222, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Phone: (225) 578-3983   Fax: (225) 578-3975
Email: cdag@lsu.edu  Website: http://www.bus.lsu.edu/lbtc

Overview: Provides technical and management assistance to entrepreneurs and new and expanding businesses. The incubator offers space and services to approximately 30 businesses and provides support services (secretary, answering service, conference room, etc.) along with business counseling in marketing, management, finance, engineering and various disciplines supported by the experts and faculty at LSU. The LBTC facilitates technology transfer for the State by providing technical assistance to Louisiana companies through the federal laboratories such as NASA, DOD, and DOC. This office provides assistance to Louisiana businesses seeking Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants. The LBTC also operated the LSU Small Business Development Center, the Louisiana Business Disaster Counseling Center, Access LSU and the Rural Entrepreneurship Training Program.

Louisiana Department of Economic Development
Stephen Moret, Director
Allison Gilmore, Assistant
Business Services
1051 North 3rd St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
P. O. Box 94185, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9185
Phone: (225) 342-3000, 342-5388   Fax: (225) 342-6820
Email: agilmore@la.gov  Website: http://www.louisianaforward.com

Overview: Four programs are administered.

The Development Assistance Program coordinates technical, managerial and financial assistance for certified small and emerging businesses (SEBs) inside the state.

The Mentor-Protegé Program brings non-small and emerging businesses into a working relationship with certified SEBs.

The Recognition Program serves to recognize outstanding accomplishments of small and emerging businesses, public agencies, and cooperative non-small and emerging business firms.

The Small Business Bonding Program makes all small and emerging construction contractors eligible to attend the Louisiana Contractor’s Accreditation Institute for their firms to qualify for grant assistance and/or surety bond guarantee assistance.

Louisiana Department of Economic Development Business Services
Rick Broussard, Business Development Manager
Brenda Guess, Business Development Manager
Capitol Annex Building
1051 North 3rd St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802;
P. O. Box 94185
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9185
Phone: (225) 342-4315  Fax: (225) 342-0142
Email: guess@la.gov  Website:http://www.louisianaforward.com

Overview:  LEDC’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for capital access for Louisiana start-up and existing businesses, enable new businesses to form and existing businesses to expand, provide for the sustained economic growth of the State and an improved quality of life for its citizens. LEDC is charged with developing and implementing innovative and creative financial assistance programs to stimulate the flow of private capital for the development and expansion and/or retention of small businesses in Louisiana.

Louisiana Department of Labor
Baton Rouge Career and Job Center
Penny Collins, Manager
1991 Wooddale Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 216-6954  Fax: (225) 925-1845
Email: pcollins@ladol.la.gov  Website: http://www.laworks.net

Overview: Job information service: information on jobs available in areas listed by employers; can be used by anyone. Proficiency aptitude testing for specific openings, Targeted Job Tax Credit certification. Staffing through screening services, career assessment, typing tutorial, job search workshops, Internet access for job search, file claims for unemployment insurance.

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority
Jim Parks, President/CEO
2237 S. Acadian Thruway, Suite 650, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 923-0020   Fax: (225) 923-0021
Email: parks@lpfa.com   Website: http://www.lpfa.com

Overview: The Louisiana Public Facilities Authority is Louisiana’s statewide multi-purpose bond issuer. The LFPA is a public trust and public corporation that issues bonds and various other debts to provide low-cost financing for industrial and economic development projects, local governmental units and educational facilities. The LPFA publishes a financial resource guide with comprehensive information on financing sources.

Louisiana Small Business Development Center
Greg Spann, Director
4826 Jamestown Ave., Suite 1, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 922-0998 Fax: (225) 922-0024
Email: grspa@yahoo.com Website: http://www.lsbdc.org

Overview: Offers counseling, information and managerial and technical assistance to potential and existing small business owners. Conducts workshops/seminars and an informational resource center. All services are free and confidential; most workshops are free, although some may require a small fee.

Louisiana State University
Cooperative Extension Service
Dwight Landreneau, Associate Vice Chancellor
LCES Administration
102 Everson Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70894
P.O. Box 25100, Baton Rouge, LA 70894-5100
Phone: (225) 578-4141   Fax: (225) 578-4225
Email: dlandreneau@agcenter.lsu.edu
Website: www.agcenter.lsu.edu

Overview: As part of the LSU Agricultural Center, the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides educational programs designed and implemented to take useful and practical information to those who need it most. The Cooperative Extension Service’s county agents, home economists and 4-H agents have offices in each of the state’s 64 parishes.

LSBDC Technology Center at LSU
Bryan Greenwood, Director
Louisiana Business & Technology Center, LSU South Campus
8000 GSRI Ave., Bldg. 3000, Room 230, Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Phone: (225) 578-4842   Fax: (225) 578-3975
Email: bgreen1@lsu.edu   Website: http://www.lsbdc.org

Overview: Provides training and management assistance to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Offers business planning, marketing assistance and financial packaging to small business clients.

Mid City Redevelopment Alliance
Samuel Sanders, Executive Director
Ted Devall, Urban Planner
419 N. 19th St., Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Phone:  (225) 346-1000   Fax: (225) 344-6171
Email: samuel.sanders@brgeneral.org; or ted.devall@brgeneral.org
Website: http://www.midcityredevelopment.org

Overview: Organization’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for improving and restoring Mid City Baton Rouge by encouraging residents and merchants to work together for neighborhood revitalization. Promotes home ownership as the key to the preservation of neighborhoods and has renovated existing houses and built new affordable houses in Park Hills subdivision. Projects include FIXUP! Mid City, first time homebuyers educational seminars, and Parks Hills development, Mid City on Parade (a tour of affordable homes), Home Maintenance Workshop, and Mid City Home Store (a home improvement thrift shop).

New Hope Community Development Corporation
David Robinson, President
Veronica Hilliard, Executive Director
3525 Riley St., Baton Rouge, LA 70805
Phone:  (225) 355-2070   Fax: (225) 355-2018
Email: nhopedix@bellsouth.net

Overview: Non-profit community development corporation formed to build homes for low- to moderate-income buyers, with a goal of boosting surrounding property values and encouraging neighbors to start community improvement projects.

Scotlandville Community Development Corporation
Marion Zachary, Director
P.O. Box 73308, Baton Rouge, LA 70874
Phone: (225) 355-3446   Fax: (225) 355-7273
Email: scotlandville_cdc@msn.com or marionzac@aol.com
Website: www.scotlandvillecdc.org

Overview: Non-profit community development corporation formed to build homes for low-to-moderate income buyers, with a goal of boosting surrounding property values and encouraging neighbors to start community improvement projects. Boundaries of the Scotlandville CDC are Blount Road, Plank Road, Airline Highway, and the Mississippi River.

SCORE
(Counselors to America’s Small Business)
Floyd L Mathews, Chairman
7117 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 381-7130   Fax: (225) 381-7142
Email: scorebr@juno.com  Website: www.scorebr.org

Overview: Provides counseling for people interested in going into business and for those in business experiencing problems. SCORE offers this service cost-free for small businesses. Conducts seminars and workshops on pre-business topics.

Source BIDCO
9420 Old Hammond Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 923-0232   Fax: (225) 216-2247
Email: breed@fidelitybankbr.com Website: HTTP://www.fidelitybankbr.com

Overview: Business Industrial Development Corporations are limited purpose banks that make business loans but do not take deposits or lend to individual consumers. Source BIDCO uses the U.S. Department of Agriculture Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program to assist borrowers in mergers, acquisitions, working capital financing, debt refinancing, equipment financing and in providing start-up capital.

Southern University
Cooperative Extension Program
Dr. Leodrey Williams, Chancellor
P.O. Box 10010, Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Phone: (225) 771-2242   Fax: (225) 771-2861
Email: leodreywilliams@suagcenter.com
Website: http://www.suagcenter.com

Overview: Builds partnerships and programs that help solve problems of the citizens of Louisiana who have limited social and economic resources. Community members are taught capacity building skills, financial management skills, and health and nutrition facts.

Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation (UREC)
Emel J. Alexander, Executive Director
Joyce James, Micro Enterprise Development Director
6315 Greenwell St., Suite #1, Baton Rouge, LA 70812
Phone: (225) 356-8871  Fax: (225) 356-8732
Email: ealexander@urecbr.com or jjames@urecbr.com
Website:  http://www.urecbr.com

Overview: UREC is a not-for-profit, community development organization committed “Building Today’s Communities for Tomorrow.”

Wybirk Business Development Center
Warren O. Birkett, Jr., President
Bertran Wyre, Jr., Vice President
PO Box 480, Baker LA 70704
Phone: (225) 328-6004 
Email: wybirk@yahoo.com

Overview: Offers financial packaging assistance to individuals or businesses. Provides management and technical assistance to individuals or business firms in the business area.

Zion City Community Development Corporation
Linda Drewery, President
5607 Stearns St., Baton Rouge, LA 70811
Phone: (225) 355-9992

Overview: Non-profit community development corporation formed to build homes for low-to-moderate income buyers, with a goal of boosting surrounding property values and encouraging neighbors to start community improvement projects.