THEY'RE COMING... next month! Videos of business leaders sharing why Terrebonne is a great place to do business.

Commercial fishing licenses to be available locally

Fishermen who are seeking new or to renew their commercial fishing licenses will be able to do so Dec. 15-17 at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries office, 468 Texas Gulf Road in Bourg.

Staff will be available 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (closed noon-1 p.m. for lunch) to handle fishing license and boat transactions. Also, trip ticket staff will be available to train new or existing seafood dealers on the process of filling out trip tickets, answering questions and taking trip ticket orders.

Is your company one of 800 in the new directory?

The State of Louisiana has launched SourceLouisiana.com, a free statewide directory aimed at helping prime contractors and large-scale projects to identify qualified Louisiana businesses of all sizes. Louisiana Economic Development will promote businesses in the database for various opportunities and major projects in the state.

While about 800 companies are already listed, information for about 20 of them has been verified. Companies are urged to search the directory for their own listings to verify and, if necessary, correct information. Just search your company's name and register to make any corrections or additions. Have questions or need help? Call Katherine at TEDA: 985-873-6890.

Expanding Talent Access Through Smart Commuting

Reliable transportation is a cornerstone of economic growth and talent attraction in Terrebonne Parish. That’s why South Central Planning & Development Commission (SCPDC) is introducing new vanpool and carpool programs designed specifically for the commuting patterns of our region. These services offer low-cost, predictable rides for employees -- especially those traveling long distances or navigating bridge bottlenecks -- while requiring no investment from local businesses. 

By participating, companies can tap into a wider labor pool, reduce absenteeism and late arrivals, and provide a meaningful benefit that supports workforce stability. SCPDC’s team is ready to partner directly with employers to assess commuting needs, match riders, and launch shared-ride solutions. If you’re looking to strengthen your workforce strategy and reduce commute-related barriers to growth, a short chat with SCPDC could make a big difference. Email rideshare@scpdc.org to get started!  

Gulf lease sale proposed; comments sought by Jan. 23

The U.S. Department of Interior has announced a proposed plan regarding oil and gas leases, the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The program proposes 34 potential offshore lease sales, including seven areas in the Gulf of America.

Before the program and lease sales are finalized, the public has opportunity to input before Jan. 23, 2026. Comments may be submitted:

1. Through the Regulations.gov web portal (preferred method): Navigate to http://www.regulations.gov and under the Search tab, in the space provided, type in Docket ID: BOEM-2025-0483 to submit comments and to view other comments already submitted; or
2. Mailed in an envelope labeled “Comments for the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program” and mailed (or hand delivered) to Ms. Kelly Hammerle, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (VAM-LD), 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, VA 20166-9216, telephone (703) 342-8867.

Commercial Farmers Tax Exempt on Certain Purchases

Did you know that commercial farmers can be exempt from state and local sales and use tax for purchases directly related to a commercial farming business? Those purchases can be seeds, fertilizer, pesticides, animal feed and fuel used in production of food or fiber resale. Louisiana also exempts certain machinery and equipment purchased by qualified agricultural manufacturers.

To apply for the exemption, individuals or entities must submit a completed Form R-1085 electronically on Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTap). If approved, the Louisiana Department of Revenue will issue a Form R-1091, which is then attached to exemption certificates for those above-mentioned purchases.

Parish President to speak at Chamber event

Terrebonne Parish President Jason Bergeron will speak at the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce's luncheon Dec. 16 at Plantation Inn, 1381 W. Tunnel Blvd. in Houma. Cost is $25 for Chamber members, $35 for nonmembers. Register here.

Free training to start or grow your business

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center offers free online training for startup and existing businesses on various topics, including:

• "Understanding Financial Statements and Cash Flow - Session 1" will be 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2. Register here.
• "Starting & Financing a Small Business" will be 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Dec. 3. Register here.
• "Marketing with AI: How Small Business Can Use GPTs for Marketing" will be 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4. Register here.
• "Show Me The Money" is set 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. Register here.
• "Website & SEO - Your Online Storefront" is set 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. Register here.

Find more training opportunities here.