Louisiana's Small and Emerging

Business Development Program

Forward progress is the purpose of Louisiana Economic Development's Small and Emerging Business Development program. With a focus on growth, the program helps Louisiana's small businesses help themselves by assisting with entrepreneurial training, legal needs, marketing, computer skills and accounting. These services are offered through Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), universities and consultants in Louisiana's rural and urban areas.

BENEFITS OF SEBD CERTIFICATION INCLUDE:

• Developmental assistance including entrepreneurial training, marketing, computer skills, accounting, business planning, legal and industry specific assistance
• Eligibility for the Bonding Assistance Program
• Additional guaranty support under the LEDC Loan Guaranty Program
• Consideration for bidding on selective service or product purchases by state agencies
• There are two eligibility requirements. 1) To continue in the program, a firm must remain owned and controlled by one or more Small and Emerging Business Persons and 2) Individual owners must continue to meet all eligibility requirements.
• Certification is effective for up to 10 years or until the firm no longer qualifies for the program.

SMALL AND EMERGING BUSINESS PERSONS

For purposes of the program, a person who meets all criteria in this section is defined as a Small and Emerging Business Person.

• Citizenship - the person is a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Louisiana Residency - the person has been a Louisiana resident for at least one year.
• Net worth - at least 51 percent of the business owners must have a net worth of less than $200,000, excluding personal residence, the business assets and retirement accounts.

SMALL AND EMERGING BUSINESS
In an effort to help businesses help themselves, LED serves in a supportive role to local centers offering new and small businesses the training, technical and managerial assistance they need. Through the Small and Emerging Business Development program, new companies receive help in marketing and accounting, along with the professional encouragement they seek every step of the way.  Ownership and Control - at least 51 percent of the company is owned and controlled by one or more Small and Emerging Business Persons.

• Principal Place of Business - the firm's principal place of business is Louisiana.
• Lawful Function - the company has been organized for profit to perform a lawful, commercially useful function.
• Business Net Worth - the business' net worth does not exceed $750,000.
• Full-Time Employment - managing owners who claim Small and Emerging Business Person status must be full-time employees of the applicant firm (35 or more hours per week).
• Job Creation - an applicant firm anticipates creating new full-time jobs.

Apply for certification through the Small and Emerging Business Program now.