The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at McNeese State University exceeded its goals for fiscal year 2023 ending Sept. 30.
Small businesses benefited from more than $15 million in capital infusion—which is funding for business operations and growth.
The U.S. Small Business Administration and Louisiana Economic Development set the goals each year for the SBDC. Susan Thibodeaux, center director, and Dean Day, business consultant, worked diligently towards meeting these goals.
The SBDC team also met with 430 unique clients and 78 long-term clients, and in doing so, reached 196% and 150% of the goals, respectively. The team also helped 26 business starts.
“Our center has seen an increase in entrepreneurs who want to start a new business and others who want to expand their existing business,” Thibodeaux explained. “We are working with several clients now that will be starting their businesses in 2024.”
Economist Dr. Loren Scott predicts that the Lake Charles area will be the fastest-growing area in Louisiana over the next two years.
“This is great news for those small businesses that have been wanting to take their business to the next level or those entrepreneurs who have been waiting for the right time to start their dream,” Thibodeaux said.
The SBDC at McNeese offers no-cost confidential business consulting and affordable workshops to new entrepreneurs and existing business owners. It is a one-stop center for assistance in business plan development, market analysis, sources of capital, technology transfer, inventor assistance and other business-related issues. For more than 20 years, it has served a five-parish area including Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis. For an appointment or more information, call 337-475-5529 or email lsbdc.msu@louisianabdc.org.
