MONROE, La. – Mid South Extrusion, which produces polyethylene film for food packaging and other consumer and industrial uses, is investing $4.9 million to add a 12th production line at its manufacturing facility in Monroe. The company will retain 170 jobs and create eight direct new jobs, and LED estimates the project will result in 16 indirect jobs, for a total of 24 new jobs in Ouachita Parish. 

The additional line will allow the company to meet the growing demand for polyethylene film, the thin, lightweight plastic sheeting that is used to seal and protect a wide variety of packaged industrial and consumer products. The new, state-of-the-art production line is a direct response to the growing demand for food packaging, and comes on the heels of the Global Food Safety Initiative’s certification of the company’s Food Safety Management systems.

Installation is expected to be complete and the new production line commercially operational by the end of 2022. 
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 MBCC hosts Grand Opening
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 Prepares for 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