On November 18, 2020, representatives from FEMA met with owners and managers of multifamily properties about two programs geared to house displaced residents. This event was facilitated by State Representative Phillip Tarver of District 36.

“Our local first responders are critical to our community, and they have always been among the first to serve and support our neighbors,” said Levar Greenhouse, regional director for AT&T Louisiana. “It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve them and recognize them for the tremendous work they do every day.”

As part of Entergy’s ongoing support to the SWLA Alliance Foundation, the company recently donated $122,500 on October 23, 2020. 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 SWLA Economic Development Alliance and The Chamber SWLA announce the SWLA Alliance “Pathway to Small Business Recovery” Grant Program.

Made possible by a $150,000 seed grant from the Sempra Energy Foundation, the grant program will provide immediate cash assistance to struggling small businesses in Southwest Louisiana with less than 25 employees. The grant coverage area includes Calcasieu & Cameron Parishes.

Suddenlink has provided $25,000 to the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance to support the rebuilding of Southwest Louisiana through workforce development, business development and industry retention / expansion.

The U.S. Small Business Administration and the SWLA Economic Development Alliance announced the reopening of an SBA Business Recovery Center in Lake Charles on Thursday, Oct. 15, to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by Hurricane Laura that occurred Aug. 22-27, 2020.  

“The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner,” said SBA’s Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

Earlier this week, Louisiana Economic Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the 2020 Louisiana Small Business Award winners. Wing 7 Advanced Trucking, Leasing & Logistics won the LED Small & Emerging Business of the Year. This makes the third time since its doors opened in 2013, one of the Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (SEED) Center Incubator clients has been awarded this prestigious award. The other two were Cypress Engineering and Waitr. 

“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