Our Recent Trip to Washington D.C.

The Chamber SWLA has renamed the award -- that recognizes businesses that exhibit inclusion practices in day-t0-day operations – after a former board member.

The Chamber SWLA has announced that Velika Hurst-Trahan has been appointed Vice Chair of the agency’s Business Development and Inclusion Task Force.

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance has hired Jonathan Dean, CLED, PCED, as its Vice President of Economic Development.

Louisiana Senate President Page Cortez was awarded this year’s LegisGator of the Year for his outstanding work in the Louisiana House and Senate over the years.

As part of Entergy’s ongoing support of the SWLA Alliance Foundation, the company recently donated $122,500 on November 23, 2021. Their donation was from an economic development grant which will help address the critical issues facing our region: business recruitment, and business retention and expansion. 

The SEED Center hosted the 10th Annual Business Pitch competition. Winners in each division were awarded $5000 and in-kind counseling in accounting and marketing. 

“The Business Incubator Business Pitch Competition is a premier showcase for up-and-coming entrepreneurs.  The diversity of ideas on display clearly demonstrates that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and flourishing in Southwest Louisiana.  This year's competition is confirmation of that fact. The winners and finalists will now move forward to take advantage of the resources available to them in the Incubator on SWLA Alliance for Economic Development" Adrian Wallace, Executive Director, The SEED Center Business Incubator 

The U.S. Chamber has awarded The Chamber Southwest Louisiana with a 5-Star Accreditation. This is the third time in a row that the organization has achieved this level of recognition. This designation puts the Chamber SWLA in the top 3 of all United States chambers when it comes to programs, policies and services.