La. Minority Business Enterprise Center moves to Baton Rouge

The Louisiana Dept of Commerce recently opened LA Minority Business Enterprise Center (LA MBEC) in Baton Rouge to assist business owners affected by the hurricane.
Nigel Dean, intern/consultant at LA MBEC, said the purpose of the center is to provide unique help to LA based businesses that have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
“We want to give them the necessary help that is needed to help get them off of their feet,” Dean said.
In order to help increase the opportunities for displaced minority businesses, LA MBEC will provide business planning and marketing assistance. They will also help LA businesses with loan minority certification.
LA MBEC will use its resources to help businesses that have lost inventory, supplies or capital due to the hurricane. In order to receive assistance, the business must have been based in La. and must have been functional for at least two years before Katrina. The businesses must also have had 8A certification and pass other requirements set by the LA MBEC
“There is a vast array of help that local businesses need, we are just trying to provide assistance in these trying times,” Dean said.
Assistance is available to local business owners as well as governmental agencies. There are other minority business development centers in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.
“We need this help,” said Daniel Griffin, a local business owner. “Its hard when you have to start all over again.”
According to Dean, although the hurricane created a timely and temporary need, LA MBEC will help Louisiana based businesses as long as they need it.
“We are a stepping ground for local businesses,” Dean said “We will do everything in our power to help Louisiana succeed.”