LADIES: College scholarship applications being accepted

HOUMA – The Women’s Business Alliance is now accepting applications for its 2018 Academic Scholarship Program.

The program is available to two types of female students pursuing higher education: the 2018 graduating high-school senior and the non-traditional student. The nontraditional student is one age 25 or older who has returned to a Louisiana college to pursue a degree. Applicants must be residents of Terrebonne and/or Lafourche Parishes.

Additional criteria for graduating seniors include a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.0 and be entering a Louisiana college during the 2017 year. Nontraditional applicants must have completed one semester of college and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. All applicants should visit www.wbahouma.org for further application requirements.

The scholarship program embodies the Women’s Business Alliance mission of improving the quality of life for women by empowering them in professional endeavors and personal relationships. The scholarship, awarded annually, aims to assist future women business leaders in pursuing their educational goals.

The application form and guidelines can be downloaded from www.wbahouma.org. Submission deadline for applicants is April 15, 2018.

Contact:

Crystal Gienger

Scholarship Chair, Women’s Business Alliance

(985) 448-7937

APPLICATION PERIOD NOW OPEN FOR CEO ROUNDTABLES

LED program provides platform for small business leaders to work on, rather than in, their businesses

Louisiana Economic Development opened the application period today for CEO Roundtables, a popular peer program through which executives explore business challenges with each other under the guidance of an experienced facilitator. The application period will extend through March 31 for roundtables beginning July 2018.

Launched in 2014 to help established small businesses grow revenue and jobs, LED’s regional CEO Roundtables convene 15 to 18 qualified key decision-makers from the pool of applicant businesses. Participants meet 10 times for peer-to-peer learning, business networking and support in the yearlong program. Collaborative and growth-oriented, the meetings support a trusting environment in which executives explore business and personal solutions that spur business growth.

Terrebonne Economic Development Authority announces training opportunity

DEC. 11, 2017, HOUMA -- Proprietors of construction companies and entrepreneurs who wish to become licensed general contractors may be eligible for tuition assistance to the Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute (LCAI) through Terrebonne Economic Development Authority.

LCAI, a Fletcher Technical Community College-branded program, is broadcast at community colleges throughout the state of Louisiana over a six-week period. The class offers critical information about construction management and preparing for the business law portions of the state licensing exam.  LCAI is a partnership between Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Community & Technical College System and the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.

Limited tuition assistance is available to those companies/individuals who potentially qualify as disadvantaged business enterprises. In addition, TEDA will offer technical assistance to aid LCAI graduates with such tasks as strategic business planning, completing contractor’s qualification statements and profiles, registration with Central Contractor Registration, certification as a disadvantaged business enterprise and registration with various public agencies issuing project contracts. 

“This program is aimed at increasing the number of qualified contractors in Terrebonne Parish and increasing disadvantaged businesses’ access to large-scale, publicly funded projects,” said Matt Rookard, TEDA Chief Executive Officer.

Program applicants should email TEDA at dhenry@tpeda.org or call 873-6890 to request an application packet. 

The program is funded in part through Louisiana Economic Development, Tier 2 Marketing Grant Program.

For more information:
Matthew Rookard,
TEDA CEO
985-873-6890

Register by completing the two forms below and returning them to:

Terrebonne Economic Development, P.O. Box 3209, Houma, LA 70361 or by email at DHenry@tpeda.org.

Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute

The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute, a partnership between Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana Community & Technical College System and the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors offers small and emerging construction businesses critical information about construction management and how to prepare for the Business Law parts of the contractors state licensing exam.  

Registration begins December 4, 2017 with last day to register for class on January 26, 2018.  

Ribbon Cutting at the Academy Place Apartments, a Senior Living Community

Volunteers of America's Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation celebrated on Nov 15, 2017, the grand opening of its newest residential development in Houma, Academy Place apartments, a senior living community. The project was completed in partnership with Terrebonne Council on Aging and Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, among others. It features the renovated historic Houma Elementary School renovated and expanded to feature 103 affordable one and two-bedroom apartments for residents ages 62 and older, plus community centers.

Cenac Marine donated a barge to SLCC for Workforce Development Training

CEO of Cenac Marine Services, Benny Cenac, and Company donated a fully refurbished barge to South Louisiana Community College's Workforce Development Training program.  An official christening and rededication took place on November 14th at Cenac Marine Services' headquarters.  The 158 feet by 40 feet fully restored barge was presented to SLCC administration and staff.  The barge is a replica of a standard Cenac Marine Services tank barge and will be used for the school's training of the next generation of maritime industry leaders.  Mr. Cenac is honored to be able to help his community and local education programs.  

Mr. Tommy Guarisco completes his term on TEDA's Board of Directors

                                    TOMMY GUARISCO

                                BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                         2014 - 2017

TEDA's Board President, Mr. Chad Hebert, shows appreciation to Mr. Tommy Guarisco for his time served on the Board of Directors.  Thank you Mr. Guarisco for your generous commitment of time, support and inspiration to TEDA.

Certified Line Worker Training Program offered at Fletcher & Delgado

The Certified Line Worker Training Program that is available at Fletcher Technical Community College and Delgado Community College will provide the necessary foundation for you to begin your line worker career as a helper/apprentice for an electric utility company.  

Officials look to diversify local economy beyond oil

As south Louisiana continues to reel from the devastating effects of the oil downturn, there are efforts underway to diversify the local economy to make the area less reliant on oil and gas.

Louisiana Ranks #1 for Lowest Electricity Rates

Data from the EIA (Energy Information Administration) shows that Louisiana's 2016-2017 average residential price (cents/kWh) is 9.2125, the lowest in the country.

Click here for Electricity Rates by State

This is also a data reference for any future power-related articles. The resource includes information about your community's energy market, 2017 residential and commercial supply rates and rankings.

Please share the resource for your community as it continues to be a leader in the market and economy.

 

Mr. Clarence Williams completes his term on TEDA's Board of Directors

                           CLARENCE WILLIAMS

                         BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                    2007-2017

TEDA's Board President, Mr. Chad Hebert, shows appreciation to Mr. Clarence Williams for his time served on the Board of Directors. Thank you Mr. Williams for your generous commitment of time, support and inspiration to TEDA.  

LED'S STEP GRANT OFFERS TRAVEL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS FOR OFFSHORE EUROPE - SEPTEMBER 5-8, 2017 - ABERDEEN, U.K.

About Offshore Europe 2017

Offshore Europe features over 56,000 attendees and offers Louisiana companies an opportunity to engage directly with international market leaders and innovative technology companies. As Europe’s leading energy and petroleum event, the conference attracts global audiences of engineers, technical specialists and industry leaders. The 2017 conference will be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Center and is organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. 

STEP Grant Opportunity

LED’s STEP Grant will offer travel expense reimbursements of up to 75 percent for new-to-export companies and up to 50 percent for market-expansion companies, for total assistance of up to $2,500 per company for attending Offshore Europe.

Learn more about utilizing the STEP Grant for Offshore Europe by clicking here or by calling

Sheba Person-Whitley - Senior International Trade Manager
International Commerce Division - Louisiana Economic Development
T     225.342.2537
C     225.772.2981
Sheba.Person@la.gov

617 North Third Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

TEDA's CEO, Matthew Rookard, spoke at the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon

Terrebonne Economic Development Authority CEO Matthew Rookard outlined his organization’s plans for growing Terrebonne Parish’s economy Tuesday before the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce.

Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute - Classes starting Soon

Registration begins June 26, 2017 and last day to register for class will be September 11, 2017.

The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute, a partnership between Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana Community & Technical College System and the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors offers small and emerging construction Businesses critical information about construction management and how to prepare for the Business Law parts of the contractors state licensing exam.  

Louisiana ranked fifth-best road trip state

While tourism being one of the biggest industries in Louisiana is no surprise to anyone in the Bayou State, the state being named one of the top road trip state in the nation was a pleasant surprise for local tourism groups.

According to an annual report by wallethub.com, Louisiana is the fifth-best state for tourists to take road trips. The 50 states were ranked based on a number of factors divided into three overall categories: cost, safety and activities.

What are the Safest Cities in Each State? Schriever, Bayou Blue, Bayou Cane and Gray all ranked as one of the safest!

LendEDU recently released a report that highlighted the safest cities in Louisiana and Schriever, Bayou Blue, Bayou Cane and Gray all ranked as one of the safest.

Using licensed data, each city’s crime index was rated against the state and national average crime index.

The full report and a more detailed methodology can be found here: https://lendedu.com/blog/safest-cities-state/

The 250 Cities That Are Seeing the Fastest Growth in Household Income - Houma ranked 187

Houma, Louisiana ranked as one of the best places in the United States to make more money and grow income according to LendEDU’s newest report.

Houma ranked #187 out of over 25,000 U.S. towns! Factors that were analyzed include income growth from 2000 to 2017 and forecasted income growth over the next five years. 

The full report and methodology can be found here: https://lendedu.com/blog/250-cities-seeing-fastest-growth-household-income/

Houma ranks #442 in U.S. cities with the lowest average student debt balances

Houma ranked #442 in LendEDU’s newest report detailing the cities throughout the U.S. with the lowest average student debt balances.

The rankings for this report were developed by licensing Experian’s most recent financial data. More than 10,000 cities throughout the U.S. were analyzed for their average student debt balance. And, Houma ranked as having one of the lowest average student debt balances!

The full report and methodology can be found here:

https://lendedu.com/blog/u-s-cities-highest-lowest-student-debt-balances/

 

Your Pie: Craft pizza and beer eatery coming to Houma

A new casual craft pizza and beer restaurant will open in Houma late this summer offering pizza and panini, as well as gelato and craft beer.

Your Pie is set to open Aug. 1 at 1378 W. Tunnel Blvd. Aug. 1, across from the Plantation Inn, but Ricky Reaves, the owner and local entrepreneur, said he’s aiming to open a bit sooner.

How does Louisiana rate among the other 50 states on property taxes?

Where Does Your State Stand?

Louisiana is #38

Effective Tax Rate: 0.71%

Average Home Value: $183,591

Average Property Tax: $1,302

Highest Average Metro Property Tax: New Orleans, $1,864

Total Single-Family Homes: 1,303,899

Total Property Taxes: $1,698,204,632

American homeowners paid property taxes totaling nearly $278 billion in 2016, according to a new report from ATTOM Data Solutions, the nation's largest property database. That means that each of the country's 84 million single-family homeowners paid an average of $3,296 in property taxes, which amounts to an average 1.15% effective tax rate.