Business Briefs for July 8, 2012
State agency offers sales tax seminar
The Louisiana Department of Revenue is offering a free seminar to help business operators understand sales tax and other issues.
The seminar will be at 10 a.m. Friday at LDR’s office at 617 N. 3rd St. For details or to register, call (225) 219-5511.
Wetlands program open to landowners
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation is accepting applications from landowners interested in restoring or enhancing wetlands on private agricultural land in Louisiana through the Wetlands Reserve Program.
The Wetlands Reserve Program provides financial incentives to landowners to restore their land to its natural wetland condition with an emphasis on enhancing wildlife habitats and environmental benefits.
The first application period for fiscal year 2013 ends July 25, 2012.
Agricultural producers should contact their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office. A list of offices and contact information can be found at http://www.la.nrcs.usda.gov.
SBA seminar focuses on business disasters
The U.S. Small Business Administration is holding an online discussion from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday for small businesses on “The Top 5 Risks for Business Disaster in America.”
The agency said small businesses are particularly vulnerable to losses caused by natural disaster, cyberattacks, and — on a smaller scale — structural failure because of random events like faulty sprinkler systems or localized fires.
A presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.
Space is limited. Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/528756816.
SBA has partnered with Agility Recovery to offer business continuity strategies at its “PrepareMyBusiness” website. Visit www.preparemybusiness.org to access past webinars and get additional preparedness tips.
The SBA provides disaster recovery assistance in the form of low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofits and businesses of all sizes. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov/disaster.
Program addresses city, state contracts
Mayor-President Kip Holden’s “Business with Baton Rouge” program is partnering with Southern University to hold a new Contractor’s College to help small construction businesses compete for city and state contracts.
Ten contractors will be selected for the Contractor’s College to be held July 14, July 21 and Aug. 4 in T.T. Allain Hall at Southern. The classes will be held each day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
Applications should be completed and submitted online by Tuesday. To register online, go to www.brgov.com and click on ‘Business with BR.’
Applicants are required to have been licensed for at least one year and must earn between $500,000 and $1 million in annual revenue.
The college will help small contractors secure the bonding, insurance and certification required for city and state contracts.
Southern’s Small Business Development Center will provide mentoring and coaching and Capital One Bank’s business bankers will offer technical assistance and advice about financial planning.
Money Management International, a nonprofit credit counseling agency, will provide a credit counselor to work with participants.
Capital Access Project Inc., a nonprofit organization, will assist with the selection of participants for the college, as well as the training sessions.
The program is funded by an SBA grant obtained by the mayor for supporting entrepreneurship, creating jobs and stimulating local economic recovery and growth.
For more information, contact Stacie M. Williams, Mayor’s Business Development Coordinator, at 225-389-3039, ext. 126, Steven Thorpe, Capital One Bank, at 504-533-2753, or Scott Dyer, Mayor’s Office, at 225-289-7957.
LSU AgCenter plans rice, soybean tour
The LSU AgCenter will hold a rice and soybean producer field tour at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the farm of Charlie Fontenot and Sunland Properties in Palmetto.
The tour will include talks by LSU AgCenter experts on rice crop management, rice variety development, soybean research plots, weed and disease control, feed grains market and the Louisiana Master Farmer Program.
To reach the farm, from La. 10 in Palmetto, travel north on Veazie Road, passing through a wooded area and over a bayou before reaching the farm. At the first stop sign, take a left and the road will curve to the right and through a gate.
The meeting will be held at the yellow metal equipment shed.
For more information, contact Vince Deshotel, LSU AgCenter county agent in St. Landry Parish, at 337-831-1635.