Economic Development Partners
LA Apex Accelerator works hand-in-hand with the following organizations, all of whom are dedicated to helping businesses in Louisiana grow. Learn more about each organization and how to contact them:
Louisiana Economic Development (LED)
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state's business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy. Their mission is to cultivate jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana.
LED offers a comprehensive array of educational, managerial and financial programs that cultivate small business opportunities from entrepreneurial startups to small business growth and expansion.
Learn more https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/small-business/special-programs-for...
617 North Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5239
1-800-450-8115
225-342-3000
Web Site: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com
Don Pierson
Secretary of Economic Development
LED staff members: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.com/about-led/staff-directory/all-staff...
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.
Louisiana District Office
365 Canal Street Suite 2820
New Orleans, LA 70130
Office phone: 504-589-6685 Fax: 504-589-2339
Web Site: www.sba.gov/la
Michael Ricks
District Director
SBA office directory: https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/louisiana-district-office-...
Louisiana SBDC (Small Business Development Center)
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provide assistance to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs throughout the United States and its territories. SBDCs help entrepreneurs realize the dream of business ownership and help existing businesses remain competitive in a complex, ever-changing global marketplace. SBDC advisors provide aspiring and current small business owners a variety of free business consulting and low-cost training services including: business plan development, manufacturing assistance, financial packaging and lending assistance, exporting and importing support, disaster recovery assistance, procurement and contracting aid, market research help, 8(a) program support, and healthcare guidance.
Bryan Greenwood, State Director
Louisiana State University
8000 Innovation Park Drive
Building 3000
Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Phone: (225) 578-4842
Email: lsu.lsbdc@louisianasbdc.org
Web Site: http://www.lsbdc.org
Louisiana SBDC Centers: https://www.lsbdc.org/locatecenter.php
Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana (MEPOL)
MEPOL is a sponsored program of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) serving Louisiana manufacturers statewide. They have experts in house, as well as a statewide network of manufacturing extension agents and partners, to provide a full range of services that focus on productivity, profitability and manufacturing success.
Kayla Gentry
337-482-5785
kayla.gentry@mepol.org
Web Site: www.mepol.org
SCORE
SCORE is a volunteer nonprofit mentoring organization dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. They are a resource partner with SBA.
https://www.score.org/
Louisiana SCORE locations: https://www.score.org/find-location?page=2
Coastal Technical Assistance Center (CTAC)
Coastal Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) is a program generated and funded through Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA).
LED and CPRA identified a need to assist Louisiana-based, small businesses in obtaining contracts with entities involved in the restoration and recovery efforts of coastal Louisiana. Facilitating such efforts will fall to longtime partner of LED and Regional Economic Development Organization, the South Louisiana Economic Council (SLEC).