Nine small businesses from across the state have been selected to participate in the third annual Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative, an LED program that helps local companies overcome challenges unique to rural communities.
SBC Lights, of Benton, was the only northwest Louisiana business chosen.
Program participants are considered second-stage businesses, which typically have 10 to 99 employees and are poised for further growth, often spurred by expansion to out-of-state markets. The initiative, conducted in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, is designed to address issues that are common to all small businesses but often magnified in rural areas, such as targeting new opportunities, sustaining growth, expanding a team and marketing digitally.
“One of our top priorities at LED continues to be supporting, developing and enhancing business resources for rural communities,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “Our partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation is one of the many ways we leverage state-of-the-art tools and assets rural entrepreneurs need to be successful. Rural small businesses are key to expanding and diversifying the state’s economy and this initiative provides a spark for rural economic growth.”
Other business include:
- Bentz Construction Group, LLC, West Monroe
- Finding Solace, West Monroe
- GATR Coolers, Thibodaux
- MOR Logistics & Environmental Services, Houma
- Professional Engineering and Environmental Consultants, Inc., Robert
- Sawyer Industrial Plastics Inc., West Monroe
- Stric-Lan Companies, Duson
- SSE Steel Fabrication, St. Bernard
