WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER SETS NEW DIRECTION

Today Chairman of the Board of Enterprise Consortium of the Gulf Coast Isabella dela Houssaye announced a new direction for its SBA Women’s Business Center (WBC). Characterizing the first two (2) years as a learning experience and foundation building, Mrs. dela Houssaye looks to the future with optimism and a new vision.

As the Louisiana economy rebounds from its slump of the last five (5) years, following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike and Gustav, and the international recession of the last two (2) years, the Women’s Business Center is poised for the future. The WBC has positioned itself to deliver a wider range of services through a network of programs and providers all focused on the survival and growth of women’s business ventures.

With the development of cooperative endeavor agreements, (CEAs), the WBC has brought together a consortium of community champions to strengthen its advisory committee and provide leadership to the program. These advocates include: USDA-Rural Business Enterprise, providing technical assistance; Iberia Bank, providing training and workshops; Louisiana Community College – classroom facilities; Acadiana Works, providing parish recruiting, workshop locations and job development; Acadiana Regional Development District – micro-loan program and financial counseling, credit repair and technical assistance.

Together, these partnering agencies will work tirelessly throughout Acadiana to expand the growth and development of women owned businesses.

Please join us in spreading the word that the Women’s Business Center is ready and eager to help any of you to achieve your dreams of business ownership and self-sufficiency.