Judge strikes down ban on non-compete agreements

A federal judge in Texas has barred from taking effect a U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule that would ban employers from requiring workers to sign non-compete agreements.

U.S. District Judge Ada Brown said the FTC does not have the authority to ban practices it deems unfair methods of competition by adopting broad rules, calling the rule "arbitrary and capricious." Brown had previously temporarily blocked the rule while she considered the bid by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and tax firm Ryan to strike it down entirely.

An FTC spokesperson said the agency is considering a potential appeal.

-- Source: Reuters and CNN

Career fairs set at Fletcher and Nicholls

Nicholls State University's Fall 2024 Nursing Career Fair will be 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9. Register your company for participation here. For questions, contact katherine.mabile@nicholls.edu or call 985-448-4109.

NSU's All Majors Career Fair will be 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. Register your company for participation here. For questions, contact katherine.mabile@nicholls.edu or call 985-448-4109.

Fletcher Technical Community College will conduct its All-Majors Career & Job Fair 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 in the Schriever Campus Atrium. Register your company by clicking here.

SBA publishes free business resiliency guide

The Small Business Administration has released its new Business Resilience Guide, a tool to help businesses prepare for and more easily recover from disasters. The free six-section guide includes best practices and template forms to help strengthen operations and preparedness, ultimately to recover quicker from disruptions.

The guide covers documenting essential operations and identifying dependencies; identifying key relationships with vendors, suppliers and collaborators; importance of data backup and cybersecurity measures; strategies for managing cash flow, securing emergency funding and minimizing financial losses; and strategies for minimizing impact of potential disruptions.

Download your free copy of the Business Resilience Guide here.

Contractor business and law seminar registering now

Anyone preparing to launch a new construction business or wishing to expand construction knowledge can now register for Louisiana Economic Development's Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Business and Law Seminar which runs Oct. 7-Nov. 13.

The six-week course teaches about construction management and operations, including such topics as the bid process, contract and equipment management, estimating, scheduling, occupational safety, risk management, financial and business management, bonding, certifications and more.

The course will meet 6-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday nights via web-based conferencing. To register, click here; cost is $206.28. Have questions? Email glenda.lecompte@fletcher.edu.

Widen your network with these business groups' events

Sept. 12 -- Soft skills focus of Bayou SHRM meeting

"The Soft Stuff is the Hard Stuff" with Paul Hasney is the featured presentation at the Thursday, Sept. 12 meeting of the Bayou Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM). The meeting, for which credits are pending, will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at The Oaks Venue, 108 St. Patrick St. in Thibodaux. Register at bayoushrm.shrm.org.

Sept. 17 -- K&B Industries featured at SCIA luncheon

Mike Moore, vice president of Advanced Manufacturing at K&B Industries is the featured speaker at South Central Industrial Association's luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Cypress Columns. Cost is $30; registration and pre-payment required. Register by contacting kathy@sciaonline.net or calling 985-851-2201.

Sept. 19 -- Join WBA for breakfast and Conveaux Media owner

Travion Smith, owner of Conveaux Media and chairman of Leadership Terrebonne, will speak at the Women's Business Alliance of the Bayou Region's breakfast at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce, 6133 Hwy. 311 in Houma. Register as a member ($10) or prospective members ($15) by calling 985-876-5600.

Sept. 26 -- Chambers unite to host Secretary of State

In a joint event, the Chambers of Commerce of Houma-Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary and Thibodaux welcome Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry to speak at their member luncheon 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 at Cypress Columns, 157 Tourist Drive in Gray. Register through your respective Chamber to attend; attendance costs $35 for members or $45 for non-members.

Free online trainings for small businesses available

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

• "Starting & Financing a Small Business" at 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 13. Register here.
• "Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)" and how it affects government contracting at 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Sept. 17. Register here.
• "Business Planning for Entrepreneurs" 12-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. Register here.

Find more training opportunities here.