Small Business Grant Program

Bill Pope, Executive Director of Regional Loan Corporation, will speak at the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce January meeting about the Louisiana Small Business Retention Program which is designed to help small businesses recover from the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Governor Blanco, the Louisiana Recovery Authority and Louisiana Economic Development announced a proposal to reallocate $100 million of the economic development disaster recovery programs to provide much-needed grants to small businesses. The additional funds would provide financial relief to sustain and restart small businesses in the most severely impacted areas of Louisiana. Pending final approval of the proposed amendment, the state will determine eligible amounts and expects to begin accepting applications in early January 2007.

This $100 million grant program comes in addition to a $38 million dollar program for 0% interest loans, a $68 million dollar program for loan guarantees, and a $9.5 million general assistance program for small businesses. Collectively, these programs are intended to provide a range of much-needed assistance to small businesses struggling to rebound from last year’s storms. More information about each program can be found below.

The January meeting of the St. Bernard Parish Chamber of Commerce will be held on Wednesday, January 24 starting at 3:30 PM. The meeting will take place the Associated Terminals, located in St. Bernard Port.

Membership dues for the Chamber are also being collected for the 2007 year. Dues must be paid by February 9 to be included the 2007 membership directory.

Visit LouisianaForward.com for more information on the Louisiana Small Business Retention Program.

Call or email Amy Ybarzabal (504-250-6121) for more information about the St. Bernard Chamber.