Vermont Business Magazine
Vermont Business Magazine – With Hurricane Irene still fresh in all of our minds and observing the fifth anniversary of that devastating storm this weekend I would like to share a story from the Baton Rouge Business Report. Like Vermont, Louisiana is struggling after horrible flooding hit their state and in particular, Baton Rouge. The people and businesses of Louisiana need our help. Five years ago, Vermonters and people from throughout the country came and helped our state, its people, their communities and businesses and without that help, who knows where we would be today. I urge our readers to help the people of Louisiana any way they can. The story below has a link where you can make a donation to the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund. Thank you for your support. – John Boutin, Publisher, Vermont Business Magazine
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry have teamed up with other regional business organizations to create a fund specifically designed to help small business owners affected by the flood quickly get back on their feet.
The two groups announced the creation of the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund this morning in partnership with Greater New Orleans Inc., the Louisiana chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and One Acadiana.
“Small businesses are the most impacted,” BRAC President and CEO Adam Knapp says. “Jumpstarting their recovery through grantmaking will expedite a longer-term entrepreneurial renaissance for our community.”
Originally announced by LABI on Monday as the Louisiana Small Business Disaster Relief Fund, the fund has been expanded and rebranded as the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund to reflect its evergreen status to assist small businesses anywhere in the state following disasters.
“When we announced the fund earlier this week, we heard from other business organizations interested in doing something similar to provide immediate assistance to small businesses,” says LABI President Stephen Waguespack. “We decided to join forces, recognizing that we’ll have greater impact working collectively—essentially helping more businesses more quickly.”
The fund will focus on making microgrants of less than $10,000 to affected small businesses. The idea is to provide them with cash, no strings attached, that they can spend on whatever services or equipment will help them get back in commerce most expediently, Knapp says.
NOLA Media Group, which owns NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, is one of the first major donors to the fund. The media company has pledged $100,000 to the Rebirth Fund and will partner with the Foundation for Louisiana to administer the grant.
Eligible small businesses must be located within one of the 20 parishes included in the federal disaster declaration area, have 50 or fewer employees, and have been in business on Aug. 10, 2016.
Those interested in contributing to the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund are encouraged to visit the Louisiana Small Business Rebirth Fund’s website for additional information. Information about donating to the fund will also be accessible on the websites of each participating business organization. The application process has not yet been finalized, but those interested should sign up to receive notification when the application is available.