Resources for Entrepreneurs

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Local Resources for Entrepreneurs

Small Business Administration
Small Business Development Centers
State-Level Organizations
Local Organizations
Procurement Assistance
Import/Export Assistance
Arts & Culture Related
Insurance Related

Small Business Administration

Small Business Administration
Small Business Start Up Guide
Requirements for SBA Loan Assistance

Small Business Development Centers

Loyola University SBDC
Phone: 504-864-7942
Fax: 504-864-7070
Website: cba.loyno.edu/sbdc/
The Loyola Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of the Louisiana Small Business Development Network providing business counseling, technical assistance, and business training for owners, operators, or managers of existing or new small businesses in the Greater New Orleans area.

E.J. Ourso College of Business, Louisiana State University (LSU) SBDC
Phone: 225-578-4842
Fax: 225-578-3975
Website: www.bus.lsu.edu/sbdc
The LSU Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses to stimulate small business formation, growth and development. Job creation and economic development are the major goals of the SBDC.

University of New Orleans SBDC
Phone: 1-866-782-4159
Website: www.unosbdc.org
At this time the SBDC's regular services have been temporarily suspended until further notice. Please check our website for updated information and a listing of upcoming hurricane-related business seminars. Hurricane Recovery : The UNO SBDC is available to provide one-to-one business consultation regarding the SBA Disaster Relief Program and other business start-up and business recovery issues. Call the toll free number to request assistance. We will continue to strive to assist you in your business recovery.

State-Level Organizations

Louisiana Business & Technology Center
Phone: 225-578-7555
Fax: 225-578-3975
Website: www.bus.lsu.edu/lbtc
The Louisiana Business & Technology Center (LBTC), an integral part of the E. J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University , endeavors to enhance economic development in Louisiana through the support of existing small businesses and the development of new businesses.

LBTC focuses on non-technology companies in the surrounding nine-parish area, and technology oriented companies statewide. The LBTC provides the following services:

Small business incubation services
Management assistance and small business counseling and consulting services
Technology transfer including IP, and commercialization assistance
Preparation for and assistance with access to capital: loan, angel, venture capital, or government sources such as SBIR/STTR, ATP, Inventors & Innovation Programs
Entrepreneurial educational training, seminars & workshops
Access to the Federal Lab Consortium

Hurricane Recovery : the LBTC also has a mobile classroom - a is a custom-designed 18-wheeler trailer retrofitted to house seminars and workshops for small business owners. The self-contained mobile classroom has state-of-the-art audio/visual capabilities, including a large plasma screen monitor, broadband wireless Internet connectivity, and seats up to 24 people for seminars. It is scheduled to visit 37 rural parishes as it tours Louisiana to present various programs including leadership development seminars, small business workshops on a variety of topics, women and minority business forums, entrepreneurship training, business planning and marketing workshops, access to capital workshops, and Small Business Innovation Research grant seminars. In light of the devastating impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the mobile classroom will pay special attention to the business recovery and development needs in Louisiana's hurricane-impacted areas.

Louisiana Department of Economic Development
Offices of Business Resources & Business Development
Phone: 225-342-3000
Website: www.lded.state.la.us
The LDED offers help and information in the areas of business resources and business services. LDED resources, available online, include: information on tax exemption programs, enterprise zones, jobs programs, small business loan program, and others. Business services include: state business resource guide, microenterprise program, and small and emerging business assistance.

Louisiana Partnership for Technology Innovation
Phone: 225-922-9189
Fax: 225-992-9107
Website: www.louisianapartnership.com
The Louisiana Partnership for Technology Innovation is devoted to the growth and diversification of Louisiana's economy. It purses this objective by working with representatives of business and industry, academia, and government to advance innovative Louisiana-based, technological opportunities to and in the marketplace

The Partnership provides consulting services to technology entrepreneurs and to State government in developing strategic initiatives to support the creation and growth of technology-based companies in Louisiana. Our services include business planning, building business relationships, intellectual property management, management assistance, and providing introduction to potential customers and investors.

Louisiana Secretary of State First Stop Shop
Phone: 225-922-2675
Fax: 225-922-0439
Website: www.sec.state.la.us
The First Stop Shop streamlines the business licensing process by cutting through the bureaucratic red tape that can delay the start-up of a business. Staff will prepare a customized business license checklist tailored to your specific business licensing need. Counseling available over the phone.

Louisiana Technology Council
Phone: 504-304-2910
Fax: 504-304-2905
Website: www.ltc-la.org
The LTC is a non-profit membership organization serving both users and producers of technology focusing on making Louisiana the Tech Capital of the South. ®

The primary mission of the Louisiana Technology Council (LTC) is to assist with the technological development of individuals and member organizations by providing programs, events, organizational support and other value added services that contribute to their competitiveness and growth. The LTC's secondary mission is to assist in the economic development of the metropolitan New Orleans area and State of Louisiana insofar as it furthers the Council's primary mission, and where circumstances are appropriate and funding is provided.

Hurricane Recovery : Louisiana Economic Development (LED) has teamed up with the LTC to develop a business recovery and office incubator center for Greater New Orleans small technology businesses hard hit by Hurricane Katrina. The center serves as temporary office space for displaced businesses and has been supplied with donations from the Pittsburgh Technology Council (15 laptop computers), Cox Business Services (high-speed internet and phone service) and Waldemar S. Nelson Company (office furnishings). Each company located in the center will pay a small fee for the space and services provided.

Local Organizations

Greater New Orleans INC
Phone: 504-527-5900
Fax: 504-527-6950
Website: www.gnoinc.org
In collaboration with government, business and industry, and civic leaders, the GNOinc professional economic development staff works to create jobs in Southeast Louisiana , market the parishes to companies seeking to expand or relocate, and retain and grow existing businesses. Our goal: To create 30,000 new jobs and $1 billion in new payroll by January 2009. This translates to $527 million in personal consumption expenditures and $100 million in new bank deposit potential.

Hurricane Recovery : The GNO, Inc. 2006 priority is Housing. Our Housing Task Force, a regional coalition of business leaders and housing experts, continues to aggressively advocate for innovative solutions to expand the inventory of affordable, quality housing in the New Orleans region. It is estimated that every house equals 1 job. With over 210,000 units damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, housing is the number one barrier in economic recovery and expansion of the New Orleans region. Small and large businesses continue the struggle to open and resume full operation, due in large part to the lack of housing for a displaced and/or prospective workforce.

Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship
Tulane University Freeman School of Business
Phone: 504-865-5462
Fax: 504-862-8902
Website: www.freeman.tulane.edu/lri
The Institute trains and inspires entrepreneurs through coursework, community service projects, and internships. In addition, LRI coordinates joint academic, government and business initiatives that stimulate private enterprise and regional economic growth. It also contributes to regional and economic development by assisting the corporate and family business communities in identifying and exploring business issues through shared learning experiences. Programs include Economic Development, TABA Community Service Programs, Tulane Family Business Center , and Entrepreneurial Studies.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
Phone: 504-589-2356
Website: www.score.org
SCORE provides professional guidance and information accessible to all to maximize the success of America 's existing and emerging small businesses. SCORE provides business mentoring and advice on a full range of business topics via a corps of volunteer business executives. A free workshop is held on the second Tuesday of each month, and counseling is available by appointment.

Newcorp Business Assistance Center
Phone: 504-539-9340
Fax: 504-539-9343
Website: www.newcorpbac.net
The Newcorp mission is to help women, physically challenged people and minority-owned businesses grow and prosper. Newcorp focuses on one-on-one counseling services to provide a wide range of services including but not limited to: business plan assistance, financial consultation, management counseling, operation of Open Access E-Commerce Program, and small business lender. We primarily work with existing / growing businesses but will also work with start-ups.

Hope Community Credit Union
New Orleans Branch
Phone: 504-581-4110
Website: www.hopecu.org
HOPE Credit Union provides affordable financial services, such as checking and savings accounts, loans, and financial literacy workshops, that help low-wealth individuals, families, and communities secure their futures. Since 1994 HOPE and its sponsor, the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta, have generated over $150 million in financing and brought economic opportunities to more than 10,000 people in economically distressed areas.

Hurricane Recovery : HOPE now offers Business Recovery Loans to facilitate business survival and rapid restoration of business operations during the time between the storm and receipt of other financing or financial assistance ( www.hopecu.org/Business/Katrina-Louisiana.htm ). Business Rebuilding Loans and Contractor Loans are also available.

ECD/HOPE Business Recovery Loans
Rosalind Washington
Program Officer
Phone: (504) 581-HOPE (4673)
ECD/HOPE is helping rebuild lives, businesses and communities in areas affected by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina by providing the following products and services to businesses and entrepreneurs in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated disaster areas . Please click this link for more information and eligibility requirements.

French-American Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Chapter
Nathalie Bastin, Executive Director
World Trade Center
2 Canal Street, Suite 2426
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 561 0070
Fax: (504) 592 9999
Email: info@faccla.com
Website: www.faccla.com
Mission: To promote trade and investments between France and Louisiana
Description: The French-American Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Chapter is an independent, non profit organization with the goal of promoting and developing commercial and financial relations between France and the Unites States. The Chamber conducts monthly networking events such as luncheons, breakfast briefings, as well as special events such as the Beaujolais Nouveau Festival in November and the French Summer Wine Festival in June.

Procurement Assistance

Hurricane Contracting Information Center
Website: www.rebuildingthegulfcoast.gov
The Hurricane Contracting Information Center provides a central point of reference for businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and small- and medium-size enterprises, to register for and become aware of federal contracting opportunities in the Gulf Coast . While the HCIC does not award contracts, our mission is to ensure that businesses understand the process and are aware when opportunities become available.

The HCIC also includes a call center staffed with representatives from 11 contracting government agencies onsite to provide direct business counseling. Just call 1-800-4USADOC.

These individuals will help businesses navigate the federal contracting process.

Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (N.O. PTAC)
Phone: n/a
Website: www.la-ptac.org
The PTAC was established to generate employment and improve the general economy of Louisiana by assisting business firms in obtaining and performing under the U.S. Department of Defense, other federal agencies, state and local government contracts.

Services include, but are not limited to: bid and proposal assistance, negotiation support, cost accounting, Federal Acquisition Regulations, pricing principles, subcontracting, and supplier certification. On our website you can find more information about how to become a PTAC Client and upcoming events.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Small Business Office, New Orleans District
Phone: 504-862-2627
Fax: 504-862-2102
Website: www.mvn.usace.army.mil/sb/index.asp
We help local businesses understand how the US Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District works and how to do business with us. The Small Business Office functions as a liaison between local small businesses and this district's needs for local contracting. We hold workshops, Small Business Acquisition Fairs, and one-on-one counseling if needed. The N.O. District contracts for supplies, construction, engineering services and other services.

Louisiana Minority Business Council
Phone: 504-523-7110
Website: www.lambc.org
Louisiana Minority Business Council (formerly Gulf South Minority Supplier Development Council) was formed to assist major corporations in developing, enhancing and expanding minority vendor programs by integrating minority business enterprises (MBEs) into the corporate purchasing mainstream. A professional counselor, Certified Federal Contract Manager, works and trains businesses to understand and become competitive in the federal and state contract arena.

LAMBC annually hosts the Louisiana Economic Opportunity Conference & Expo, Louisiana's premiere conference on supplier diversity. This two day conference allows maximum opportunities for networking, discussion and face to face exchanges between corporate buyers and MBEs.

Import/Export Assistance

Louisiana International Trade Center
Phone: 504-568-8222
Fax: 504-568-8228
Website: web2.uno.edu/~litc/
The LITC mission is to increase the number of Louisiana businesses involved in international trade and foster economic development in Louisiana . We assist business people interested in exporting, importing, and making foreign investments. Services include: seminars, trade missions, financing programs, and translation services. The LITC “One Stop Shop” offers access to Country Guides, Market Research Reports, and Importing & Exporting Guides.

Louisiana District Export Council
Phone: 504-589-6546
Fax: 504-589-2337
Website: www.ldec.org
Formally known as the New Orleans US Export Assistance Center we help “export ready” companies begin exporting or increase their export sales. Our International Trade Specialist provide export counseling and other services designed to assist small and medium sized firms to make their first time export sale or to increase their export markets. The US Commercial Service maintains offices in 70 countries and in over 100 US cities. Services provided by the US Export Assistance Center include:

Export finance counseling
Market research
Trade contacts
Trade promotion events and programs
Advocacy on international contracts
Info on export documentation and licensing

World Trade Center
Phone: 504-529-1601
Fax: 504-529-1691
Website: www.wtc-no.org
The WTC has long been involved in conducting a wide range of trade promotion , educational , and legislative programs designed to enhance Louisiana's position in international trade, investment, transportation, banking, and other trade-related services, and to contribute to the state's overall economic development. These programs include: training classes on exporting and importing foreign language classes seminars on doing business in other countries international business briefings by visiting U.S. and foreign officials international trade publications trade missions to other countries, receiving trade missions from other countries.

Arts & Culture Related

Arts Council of New Orleans
Phone: 504-523-1465
Fax: 504-529-2430
Website: www.artscouncilofneworleans.org
The goal of the Arts Council's Entergy Arts Business Center (EABC) is to assist in the business process by serving as an arts business incubator where individuals and non-profit groups can learn, exchange ideas, and receive practical business assistance. The EABC is a membership organization that offers workshops, entrepreneurial training, legal clinics, and group health insurance. The Business Center also offers low cost office space, shared resources and equipment, and extensive organizational development assistance to its tenant clients.

Hurricane Recovery : updated information is available at our website concerning funding opportunities and other resources for local artists and musicians.

Louisiana Music Commission
Phone:504-736-8605
Fax: 504-736-7287
The Louisiana Music Commission (LMC) is a state economic development agency. It provides resource information, contact information and counseling. The LMC also provides limited promotional assistance. The agency works on business initiatives, collects business plans and assists in their formulation, and serves as a main contact point for state government economic assistance for music businesses. The LMC also works on broadcasting efforts, educational initiatives and efforts to make state and local governments more business-friendly for music businesses.

New Orleans Music Office Co-Op
Phone: 504-895-8477
Website: www.tipitinasfoundation.org
Our mission is to provide a professional work space for musicians and others in the New Orleans music business. For those who can't afford, or don't otherwise have access to them, the Co-Op provides: computers, high-speed Internet connections, laser printer, fax machine telephones, page layout tools, web design tools, web audio tools, a professional, fully-equipped, ergonomic work space; and tutorials on basic computer and business skills including word processing, spreadsheets, page layout, web design, and press kit creation.

Insurance Related

Insurance Information Institute
Phone: 212-346-5500
Website: www.iii.org/smallbusiness/intro/
The mission of the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) is to improve public understanding of insurance -- what it does and how it works. For more than 40 years, the I.I.I. has provided definitive insurance information. Today, the I.I.I. is recoginformation, analysis and referral concerning insurance. Each year, the I.I.I. works on more than 3,700 news stories, handles nized by the media, governments, regulatory organizations, universities and the public as a primary source of more than 6,000 requests for information and answers nearly 50,000 questions from consumers.