The Louisiana Small Business Development Center State Office, located at ULM, will administer nearly $2.3 million to assist small businesses throughout Louisiana impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike earlier this year.

The money is part of a federal disaster grant and stems from a $10 million Congressional appropriation in September. Of that funding, some will be allocated to the local LSBDC – also at ULM – to assist the northeastern Louisiana parishes declared eligible for FEMA assistance following the hurricanes.

Those parishes include: Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, LaSalle, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, West Carroll, and Winn.

The LSBDC will use the funds to offer confidential business consulting, including disaster loan assistance, business recovery planning, marketing research, cash flow projections, business plans, and other technical assistance at no cost to small business owners.

Local business owners must call 318-342-1224 to make an appointment with the local LSBDC to receive assistance.

The LSBDC is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Small Business Administration, The Louisiana Economic Development office, and eleven participating universities, including ULM. The project has provided disaster recovery assistance to 5,600 clients impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita over the last three years.