Business Briefs for May 6, 2012
DDD provides grants to homeowners
A new grant program is available for downtown homeowners to make exterior façade improvements visible from the street.
The Downtown Development District Commission has created the Residential Facade Grant Program to “encourage and assist property owners to restore and improve the appearance of their residential properties.”
Grants are available for up to $500 per property and require a 50 percent match and do not have to be paid back as long as the property owner meets the general requirements of the program.
The DDD says it will be available to help homeowners make improvements that restore their building’s original character and will provide access to Louisiana Architecture: A Handbook on Styles.
Homeowners submit a pre-qualification application to the DDD, including a budget, sketches and color photographs of the property. The application will be reviewed by the DDD and the design review committee. Projects will be judged on the level of enhancement or restoration to the historical character of the neighborhood.
AlwaysCare getting into health insurance
AlwaysCare Benefits Inc., of Baton Rouge, has moved into the health insurance business, offering employers limited benefit medical plans.
The plans provide basic medical benefits for employees and their covered dependents who aren’t eligible for or can’t afford comprehensive major medical coverage. The workers include those in hourly, temporary, seasonal and low-wage jobs.
The plans cover a portion of hospital stays, surgery, physician office visits, wellness and laboratory and radiology work. The exact benefits and amounts vary by plan.
AlwaysCare’s plans also feature non-insurance benefits, including a 24-hour Nurse Helpline, a vision access plan, an online wellness improvement plan and prescription drug discount benefits.
Dolci Dolci making Italian baked goods
Dolci Dolci, an Italian baking company, has been set up in a commercial kitchen by Megan DiBenedetto and Lindsey DiBenedetto Winter.
Dolci Dolci specializes in Italian cookies, such as Cuccidati (fig cookies), traditional cherry cookies, chocolate wine cookies, Pizzelle, seed cookies, lemon Anise, lemon Rosemary and Italian wedding cookies. Other desserts include Tiramisu and rum cake.
Dolci Dolci specializes in serving conferences and birthday parties.
Its website is http://www.dolcidolcisweets.com, or email lindsey@dolcidolcisweets.com or call (225) 337.4457.
Pixel Dash Studios releases new game
Pixel Dash Studios LLC, located in the Louisiana Technology Park on Florida Boulevard, has released “Fans vs. Franchise” for iOS devices.
The game, which is a comical tower defense-style game, along the lines of Plants vs. Zombies, pits a cast of football franchise inspired characters against oncoming fans of various shapes and sizes. The fans have gone mad at the threat of a pending lockout and the player must use an arsenal of 18 crazy football objects to protect the field from an onslaught of over 20 unique fans.
Players can access a flash-based demo at http://www.pixeldashstudios.com/fans-vs-franchise/.
Pixel Dash Studios was founded by Evan Smith and Jason Tate.
Livingston chamber holding expo, job fair
The Livingston Parish Chamber is holding a free Business and Community Expo and a job fair 3-7 p.m. Tuesday at Forrest Grove Plantation in Denham Springs.
Food vendors will provide samples from local restaurants and health-care providers throughout the parish, including North Oaks Health System and Our Lady of the Lake, will offer free health screenings.
Local presenters for the Parish’s Comprehensive Master Plan will be gathering public input on the project.
To register or receive more information, visit the chamber’s website at http://www.livingstonparishchamber.org or call the chamber at (225) 665-8155.