Louisiana's Small Entrepreneurship

Hudson Initiative Program

To offer Louisiana-based small businesses more access to contracting and procurement of goods and services with state agencies, Governor Blanco signed into law the Hudson Initiative legislation in 2005. Race and gender neutral, this goal-oriented program encourages state agencies and contractors who receive state contracts to use certified Small Entrepreneurships.

TO PARTICIPATE, SMALL ENTREPRENEURSHIPS MUST BE CERTIFIED BY LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (LED) AND MEET THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Independently owned and operated
• Is not dominant in its professional field
• Is owned by and has officers who are U.S. citizens or legal residents
• Is owned by persons domiciled in Louisiana
• Has its principal business office in Louisiana
• Fewer than 50 full-time employees
• Has average annual gross receipts that do not exceed $5 million for construction businesses and $3 million for non-construction businesses for each of the previous three tax

Application Process: Once submitted, the application will be reviewed for qualification, and applicant will be able to go to the website for certification status. Whether approved or not, applicant will receive written notification. When not approved, applicant will receive written reason for declination and, if required information is provided to LED, the application may then be approved.

Important Note: Applicants still need to apply at each state agency as a potential vendor. Each agency has its own registration process, and merely achieving certification as a Small Entrepreneurship will not help achieve procurement contracts if applicant is not also registered with the various state agencies.

Apply for certification through the Hudson Initiative now.