JUNETEENTH 2022:
A COMPLETE HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN LOUISIANA
State - Offices Closed- Friday, June 17
State Holiday - Observed, Saturday, June 18

Gov. Edwards reminds Louisianans that, for the first time, all state offices in Louisiana will be closed this Friday, June 17, in observance of Juneteenth, which became a legal holiday in Louisiana last year.

“Juneteenth honors the day when enslaved Americans learned of their freedom, which is an important moment in American history and an appropriate one to honor with a state holiday,” Gov. Edwards said. “There is much work left to be done to ensure that all of our people are treated equally and fairly by the law, by our institutions and by each other, but it is my hope that Louisianans will take time on this day to reflect about the importance of freedom and equality and learn about the struggles of enslaved people in our country.”

Federal (National) Holiday - June 20
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth (June 19)- which had been celebrated by African Americans for more than 100 years- into law. The nation will observe the African-American Holiday on Monday, June 20.

Product Matters: Strategies for Managing Your Supply Chain Before, During, and After a Disruption (June 24, 2022)
Join the Urban League of Louisiana’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, on Friday, June 24th, 10:00am-12:00pm (CST), to gain insights on the managing your supply chain before, during, and after a disruption. This online session is sponsored by Louisiana Economic Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

During a health or environmental crisis, supply chain disruptions create scary and uncertain times, especially for small business owners. These disruptions draw attention to supply chain dependencies that you may otherwise not be aware of when everything is operating under normal circumstances. The COVID-19 global pandemic has caused a major upheaval in the supply chains of many businesses in the United States and North America.

When supply chains are disrupted small businesses must have a plan to sustain operations and be able to access alternative sources of supply when possible. This session will provide product-based businesses with key learnings in managing before, during, and after a disruption, including: managing inventory, identifying alternative sources of supply or distributors, and strategies for transitioning to complimentary services when supplies are not available. Key topics include:

· Understanding how supply chains work
· 6 types of supply chain disruptions
· Uncovering your supply chain dependencies
· 10 tactics for preparing for disruptions
· 7 steps to take after a disruption as occurred

There is no cost to attend. However, registration is required. Register today to reserve your spot!

(TOMORROW) LCCF Hosts Seminar: Online Grants For Small Businesses

This presentation will cover the sources for funding for both private and federal grants, tools, and tips for researching small business grants, and application tips to increase the chances of being successful.
LED offers award-winning program to support Small Businesses


LED’s award-winning suite of Small Business Services can be a game changer for small business owners looking to take their next steps to success. From support for veterans and diversity initiatives to networking opportunities and educational programming, there’s no shortage of ways for Louisiana entrepreneurs to get the support they need.
 
LED’s small business programs include:
 
​​Bonding Assistance Program
Offering surety backed bonds
 
‍CEO Roundtables
Enabling peer-to-peer learning opportunity for small business executives‍
 
Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute
Presenting seminars and courses to small and emerging construction firms‍
 
Hudson Initiative
Helping small businesses access state purchasing and contracting opportunities‍
 
Mentor-Protégé Recognition
Connecting small and emerging businesses with industry experts‍
 
Pathway to Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs (PAVE)
Creating access to the tools for Louisiana veterans need to start or manage a business
 
Small and Emerging Business Development Program
Offering training for small business growth tactics‍
 
Small Business Loan Guaranty Program
Driving small business development and expansion‍
 
STEP Grant
Assisting small businesses to grow exports‍
 
System for Integrated Growth
Customizing strategic research and technical assistance to boost growth‍
 
Veteran Initiative
Providing veterans access to state funding
 
Veterans First Business Initiative
Certifying veteran, active-duty or reserve military, and Gold Star spouse business ownership
 
CENTRAL LOUISIANA
JUNETEENTH 2022 IN THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA
CAPITAL CITY REGION
Baton Rouge Hosts Unity Fest for Juneteenth 2022
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce recently acquired office space within the ExxonMobil Community Center with hopes to expand their ambitious mission: to empower black entrepreneurship in order to establish a stronger black community. The Chamber's goals are to inspire, develop, educate, promote and cultivate economic success in the Greater Baton Rouge Area. They currently serve over 300+ local owned businesses ranging from tech to agriculture. To learn more about their impactful work visit: brmbcc.org

The highly attended Grand Opening included over 75 elected officials, industry leaders, business owners and most importantly community members. The prestigious event line-up included commentary from: Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, SBA Regional Director Ted James, Councilwoman Chauna Banks, Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman, Stephanie Cargile of ExxonMobil Baton Rouge and Kelisha Eugene Garrett Vice President of The Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
MONROE
Monroe Regional Black Chamber Celebrates Juneteenth 2022
STATEWIDE
DOES YOUR BUSINESSS HAVE A GAMEPLAN FOR DISASTER?
All vendors wishing to do business with the State of Louisiana must register online. Please use the following link to register as a vendor

 During the registration process, select all of the commodities your company is able to provide. You will then receive an email notification each time a bid is posted in one of the commodities for which you've registered.

Vendor Resources Page - Office of State Procurement’s website: 
 
Webinar: Emergency Procurement and How to Register
 
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster.
3901 MacArthur Blvd,
Box 6012 New Orleans, LA 70114
Phone Number: 1 504-655-7572