Technical assistance for growth available

Small businesses interested in guidance and assistance to determine growth opportunities can apply to Louisiana Economic Development's System for Integrated Growth program.

At no cost to the company, the program offers qualified Louisiana-based businesses up to 34 hours of assistance to focus on strategic growth issues. Research areas include digital marketing, human resources, supply chain management, market research, sales, finance, geographic information systems, operations and succession planning.

Eligibility criteria for selection includes annual revenue between $600,000 and $50,000,000, demonstration of growth in annual revenue and/or jobs in two of the last five years, employing five to 100 employees, and delivering products or services outside the company's local market area or having capacity to do so. To apply, click here.

Bayou SHRM's employment law conference set Aug. 8

The Bayou Society of Human Resource Managers' Annual Employment Law Conference will feature such topics as recent developments with government agencies, do's and don'ts of political speech in the workplace, attendance control in the Gen Z remote-work era, and harassment.

The conference will be conducted Aug. 8 at Holiday Inn, 1800 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Houma. Registration costs $35 for members, $50 for nonmembers. Register here.

BCF conducting annual nonprofit conference Aug. 8

The Bayou Community Foundation will be conducting its sixth annual conference aimed at equipping nonprofit organizations with knowledge and tools to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness Thursday, Aug. 8 at Fletcher Technical Community College.

Topics will include AI applications for nonprofits, optimizing social media and digital communications, managing finance and budget, and strengthening organizations and the community through inclusion.

Registration, which includes breakfast and lunch, is $85 and available through Monday, Aug. 5. Register here.

SLEC's Bayou Business Summit set Aug. 29

South Louisiana Economic Council's upcoming Bayou Business Summit will feature the new state secretary of economic development, Susan Bonnett Bourgeois; local parish presidents; and insights from SLEC's team.

The summit is set 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29 at the civic center in Houma. Tickets cost $95 for general admission and are available here.

Business groups offer information & networking

August 15 -- Etiquette entrepreneur highlighted at WBA

Mary Bourg Chauvin, owner of Etiquette Center of the South, will speak at the Women's Business Alliance of the Bayou Region luncheon at noon Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce, 6133 Hwy. 311 in Houma. Register as a member ($25) or prospective members ($30) here or by calling 985-876-5600.

August 20 -- LLOG Exploration featured at SCIA luncheon

Eric Zimmerman of LLOG Exploration is the featured speaker at South Central Industrial Association's luncheon 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, at Cypress Columns. Cost is $30; registration and pre-payment required. Register by contacting kathy@sciaonline.net or calling 985-851-2201.

August 22 -- Houma Chamber welcomes attorney general

The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce welcomes Louisiana State Attorney General Liz Murrell to speak at its member luncheon 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 at Cypress Columns, 157 Tourist Drive in Gray. Attendance costs $25 for members or $35 for non-members. Click here or call 985-876-5600 for reservations.

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:

• "Credit Building 101: Building Personal & Business Credit" at 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7; Register here.
• "Starting & Financing a Small Business" at 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Aug. 9. Register here.
• "Win Government Contracts: Bid Preparations" at 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20. Register here.
• "Strategic Hiring and Incentives: Louisiana Workforce Commission Services" 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 22. Register here.

Find more training opportunities here.

NSU sets job fairs in September & October

Nicholls State University's Office of Career Services is conducting two job fairs this fall -- one for nursing and a general one for all academic majors.

The Fall 2024 Nursing Career Fair will be 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9. The 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 her at 985-448-4109.