The month of May is a time that makes the staff at the Alliance/Chamber SWLA excited.

First, May is recognized as National Small Business Month. Also, the week of May 8 until the 12 is National Economic Development Week.

Small Business Month was birthed by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). Initially, the agency promoted small business week, but over time the designation was extended to the whole month nationwide.

We all take this time to celebrate the work, innovation, and spirit of small business owners. Without this group of businesses, the country would suffer from a lack of job opportunities, loss of commerce, and more importantly, the example of people living the American Dream.

Did You Know This About

American Small Businesses?

• 99.9 percent of businesses across the United States are small businesses.

• There are 33.2 million small businesses across the country.

• Small businesses employ 61.7 million workers.

• Out of the 33.2 million small businesses, 27.1 million are run by a single owner and have no employees.

As the month advances we want to make sure to show support our five parish area’s small business owners either by spending money in their establishments, participating in special acknowledgments, or supporting them on social media platforms.

This month is also a great time to encourage anyone thinking about starting a business. The Business Incubator of SWLA is home to an educational program that also supports start-ups and enterprises that need help.

National Economic 

Development Week

Regional economic development professionals (public and private sector) are involved daily in business recruitment, business retention, business expansion, community development and workforce development.

Most times, our work is in the trenches. Patience in this business is a virtue because no enterprise or quality of life begins and ends within a matter of a few days.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) created National Economic Development Week in 2016 to “increase awareness of local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities, and improve the quality of life in communities everywhere.”

So here is a question. What is economic development?

According to IEDC “economic development is the intentional practice of improving a community’s economic well-being and quality of life. It includes a broad range of activities to attract, create, and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth tax base and an inclusive economy. The practice of economic development comprises a collaborative effort involving industry, government, and myriad community stakeholders.”

The Alliance is the economic development organization (EDO) for Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis parishes. 

Our organization is regarded as one of the best in America:

• Site Selection Magazine named the Alliance in the Top 10 EDOs in the U.S. four times in recent years.

• Site Selection awarded the Alliance the Mac Conway Award which is given to the top 20 local and regional edos in America. Among those recognized were Atlanta, Austin, Nashville, Phoenix, North Carolina’s Research Triangle, and Baton Rouge.

• Southern Business and Development Magazine designated the Alliance as one of the ten notable collective economic development efforts in the nation. The magazine also named the five parish region as the small market of the year 10 years in a row.

Let us all take the time during the month of May to recognize the work of many people to make America and our region strong.

Eric Cormier is Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Strategic Initiatives at the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance/Chamber SWLA--Business Incubator. He can be contacted at 337-433-0977 (Extension 2221) or ecormier@allianceswla.org.

Eric Cormier