STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

The Abilities Fund
Centerville Office
410 N 18th St
Centerville, IA 52544-1823
Telephone: 641-856-2173
Toll Free: 888-222-8943
Fax: 641-856-3101

Iowa City Office
332 South Linn Street, Suite #17
Iowa City, IA 52240
Telephone: 319-338-2521
Toll Free: 866-720-3863
Fax: 319-338-2528
URL: http://www.abilitiesfund.org/

"This summer The Abilities Fund, together with a national lending partner, will launch a nationwide direct loan program for entrepreneurs with disabilities. In 45 states, loan guarantees will also be available to as a means to secure loans for entrepreneurs. Flexible terms and competitive interest rates for microloans ranging from $500 - $25,000 will be offered.

In support of new microlending services, The Abilities Fund will be expanding its online presence to include training and technical assistance. Soon, people with disabilities nationwide will have 24-hour access to features such as Feasibility First ©, business plan development, and financial planning for business startup -- all of which are resources designed to prepare entrepreneurs with disabilities for self-employment."

Acadia Economic Development Corporation
11 N. Parkerson Ave, Crowley, LA 70526
Phone: (337) 788-7550
Fax: (337) 788-4936
URL: http://www.iacadia.org/

"The mission of Acadia Economic Development corporation is to engage, directly or indirectly, in economic development activities within the Acadia Parish area and to maintain, enhance, improve and enlarge the employment base of businesses, and the quality of life of the citizens thereof."

Acadiana Regional Development District
601 Loire Ave, Suite C, Lafayette, Louisiana 70507
Phone: (337) 886-7782
Fax: (337) 886-7081
URL: http://www.ardd.org

The Acadiana Regional Development District was organized in late 1967 to assist municipal and parish governments. One of eight planning and development districts established by Legislative Act, ARDD, formerly known as Evangeline Economic and Planning District, serves the eight parishes of Region Four (namely, Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermilion Parishes).

Catholic Social Services- (C.E.N.T.S.) Coastal Entrepreneurials' Net to Success
1220 Aycock Street, P.O. Box 3894, Houma, Louisiana 70361
Phone: (985) 876-0490
Fax: (985) 876-7751
E-mail: pmurphy@htdiocese.org
URL: http://www.htdiocese.org/

Enterprise Center of Louisiana
3419 N.W. Evangeline Thruway, Carencro, LA 70520
Phone: (337) 896-9115
Fax: (337) 896-8736
URL: http://www.ecol.org/

Provision of an environment in which a new or small emerging business can learn effective business practices while actually engaging in business operations with the end result of creating jobs and diversifying the economy in Acadiana.

Greater Jennings Chamber of Commerce
246 N. Main Street, Jennings, LA 70546
Phone: (337) 824-0933
Fax: (337) 824-0934
URL: http://www.jenningschamber.com/

Service Area: Jeff Davis Parish. The Greater Jennings Chamber of Commerce is organized for the purpose of advancing the commercial, industrial, civic, agricultural and general interests of the City of Jennings and its trade area

Livingston Economic Development Council
c/o Louisiana Economic Development Corporation
Baton Rouge, La 70802
Phone: (225)342-5675
Fax: (225)342-0142
URL: http://www.ledcinc.org/

The Louisiana Economic Development Corporation offers four (4) loan programs designed to assist small businesses. These programs include the following: Small Business Loan Program, Micro Loan Program, Contract Loan Program, and Small Business Linked Deposit. Review each option and request your application from the corporation.

Louisiana Business Incubation Association
Small Business Incubator, South Stadium Drive/LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: (225) 578-7555
Fax: (225) 578-3975
E-mail: lbtc@lsu.edu
URL: http://www.lbia.org/

The Louisiana Business Incubation Association is a state-wide organization of business incubators and supporters from throughout the state. The primary mission of the LBIA is to encourage the growth of businesses by providing the support, resources, and technical assistance aspiring entrepreneurs need to start up and maintain a successful business. Most incubators in the state operate both an in-house incubation program as well as an outreach program that is often referred to as an "incubator without walls" program.

Louisiana Business Statistics - LSU Libraries
URL: http://www.lib.lsu.edu/bus/loustats.html

Louisiana Department of Economic Development
PO Box 94185, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9185
Phone: (225) 342-3000
E-mail: webmaster@lded.state.la.us
URL: http://www.lded.state.la.us/

• Business Counseling Centers (including Hurricane Katrina resources)
  URL: http://www.lded.state.la.us/louisiana-businesses/community-development-services/regional-directors/business-counseling-centers.aspx

As the state agency charged with attracting new business and industry to Louisiana and providing economic development services to resident industry, small businesses and entrepreneurs, we would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about Louisiana's location advantages, incentives and services for business and industry.

Louisiana State Business Office - Business in Louisiana
URL: http://www.louisiana.gov/wps/portal/.cmd/cs/.ce/155/.s/1110/_s.155/1111/_me/1110

Microenterprise Development Alliance of Louisiana
1200 South Acadian Thruway, Suite 201/203, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: (225) 243-6934
Fax: (225) 243-6935
E-mail: mguste@rscj.org
URL: http://www.microenterpriseLA.org

The Micro-Enterprise Development Alliance of Louisiana (MEDAL) is a not for profit membership organization that encourages the financial security particularly of women and their children by supporting commercial and non-commercial entrepreneurial activities, providing education and training, establishing linkages and generating resources to create a new culture of economic opportunity.

Newcorp Business Assistance Center
1600 Canal Street, Suite 601, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Phone: (504) 539-9340
Fax: (504) 539-9343
E-mail: vrfauria@newcorpbac.net
URL: http://www.newcorpbac.net

NEWCORP is a Business Assistance Center with a mission to help small, minority and women owned businesses grow and prosper. From start-ups to established businesses, NEWCORP can be a valuable resource.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation/Supporting, Enfranchising Economic Development (SEED)
1205 North Rampart Street, New Orleans, LA 70116
Phone: (504) 522-4786
Fax: (504) 558-6148
URL: http://www.nojhf.org/

Geographic Area Served: New Orleans area
Mission: To foster the start-up and development of Louisiana-based economically disadvantaged businesses by providing partially secured small business loans, to businesses which manifest the mission of New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, to promote, preserve, perpetuate, and encourage the music, arts, culture, and heritage indigenous to the New Orleans area. And, assist these businesses in becoming ongoing, self-sufficient, contributing members of the business community.

University of New Orleans Small Business Development Center
1600 Canal St., Suite 620, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Phone: (504) 539-9292
Fax: (504) 539-9295
E-mail: akennedy@uno.edu
URL: http://business.uno.edu/sbdc/

The primary purpose of the SBDC is to provide small business counseling and research services using faculty, staff, and student resources. These services are available at no charge to small business owners and/or managers as well as to individuals who are considering the establishment of a small business.