Technical Assistance Programs

Technical Assistance to Small Firms is a $9.5M program designed to help stabilize and grow small businesses in a changed market environment. It does this by supporting and assisting community-based organizations and other service providers to deliver technical assistance to small businesses, including nonprofits, which have been adversely affected by the hurricanes. In addition to existing and impacted businesses, it also targets providing assistance to entrepreneurs or individuals seeking to start a new business that would be located in the impacted area.

Clients to be assisted would be those located in the parishes in southeast and southwest Louisiana most affected by Katrina and Rita. Because of the impacts of the storms, many small businesses need assistance in dealing with changed circumstances. Small businesses in niche sectors such as fisheries, tourism, or the cultural economy may require unique assistance that can be provided by nonprofits with a proven track record within that sector. Through this program, technical assistance will be provided on topics such as business management, strategic planning, business plan preparation, loan application and preparation services, accounting, insurance, marketing, and legal. So some technical assistance may be targeted to all businesses, others are targeted to niche businesses, for example unique requirements of restaurants. The program is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Eligible Businesses:

• For Profit
• Non-Profit
• It is not established as a religious or political organization
• It maintained a business in the affected area prior to the storms, has started a business since the storms, or start ups – entrepreneurs or individuals seeking to start a new business that would be located in the impacted area to take advantage of business opportunities in the most affected parishes.

Eligible Affected Parishes:

• Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Vermilion, Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington.

General Business Assistance and Training and Specialized Business Assistance and Training
General programs are available that focus on Accounting, Business Coaching, Workshops, Technology Assessments, Grant and Loan Training and more. Specialized programs are available to address specific needs based on Industry, Culture, Language, Public Relations, Online and more.