Published August 26, 2014
The Northeast Louisiana Business and Community Development Center (NLBCDC), housed
in the University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Business and Social Sciences,
received a $25,000 grant from the Louisiana Business Incubation Association and Louisiana
Economic Development (LBIA/LED).
Dr. Ronald Berry, dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, said “Thanks
to the support of the LBIA/LED, we will be able to expand the footprint of our incubator
and serve more local entrepreneurs who will eventually graduate into the business
community and provide good paying jobs. We appreciate the continued support of the
LBIA/LED and their partnership that allows us to facilitate economic development and
growth through small business successes.”
The grant marks the third significant investment in the center. The LBIA/LED awarded
the NLBCDC a $50,000 grant in October 2011 and 2012, both of which were used to create
the business incubator.
This award will enable expansion of the existing, and currently filled incubator space,
thus allowing additional business owners to become tenants. This funding is significant
to the continued success of the project, said Susan Duggins, director of the NLBCDC.
“We appreciate the continued support from the Louisiana Business Incubator Association
and Louisiana Economic Development,” Duggins said. “It comes at a significant juncture
in the growth of our incubator and will allow us to continue development of a great
economic development tool for our region.”
The multi-function business incubator provides direct support to businesses within
the northeast Louisiana delta region. Support services provided to emerging and small
businesses increase their chances for long-term survival.
With the services provided by the incubator, newly established businesses can thrive
in a controlled environment, guided by mentors and experts in the business field.
To learn more about the NLBCDC, visit ulm.edu/nlbcdc/
