The Louisiana Small Business Development Center celebrated 25 years of helping small businesses with a reception at the ULM Conference Center last Thursday, Feb. 21.

(from left): 5th District Congressman Rodney Alexander; Melanie Meeks; Paul Meeks, owners of Great Day, Inc., Tallulah; Mary Lynn Wilkerson, LSBDC state director; Jeffrey Everson, representing U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.

The LSBDC also honored three businesses from North and Central Louisiana for their commitment to entrepreneurship. The recipients of the LSBDC Small Business Star Award are: Paul Meeks, owner of Great Day, Inc. in Tallaluh; Taji Helaire and Chioke Helaire, owners of P.A.C. LLC of Natchitoches; and Yasuko Makishi, who owns Craters & Freighters in Shreveport.

Mary Lynn Wilkerson, LDBDC state director, held the businesses up as role models. “These recipients demonstrate how hard work and assistance from the Louisiana Small Business Development Center can lead to success.”

For more information about the LSBDC, go to: www.lsbdc.org.





Photo by Richard Lupo, University Photo Services