LED Secretary Don Pierson To Promote Small Business Growth, Regional Partnerships In Louisiana Tour

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson will begin a statewide tour Monday, Jan. 25 to meet with regional economic development organizations as the administration of Gov. John Bel Edwards launches a new emphasis on fostering small business success in Louisiana.

Pierson will emphasize the importance of collaboration between LED and its regional partners and will stress the vital roles of regional groups in Louisiana’s economic development efforts. Pierson also will discuss how budget concerns and possible incentive changes make partnerships between LED and regional organizations even more necessary. Most importantly, Pierson will listen to regional leaders to understand the issues affecting their respective regions.

Louisiana’s small businesses employ more than 892,000 workers – over half of the state’s private workforce – and firms with fewer than 100 employees have the largest share of small business employment. Gov. Edwards has placed a high priority on helping small business perform at an even higher level in Louisiana.

LED’s Small Business Services team and its partners at the Louisiana Small Business Development Center network of 10 centers stand ready to lead that effort throughout the state. The LED team directly served more than 2,500 small businesses last year, and the Small Business Development Center network served 11,000 small business and individuals, with sustained funding support from LED.

In his visits across the state, Secretary Pierson will convey that now, more than ever, regional allies must be strongly supported and given the opportunity to strengthen their own communities, because they know them better than anyone else.

“Effective economic development begins at the local level,” Pierson said. “With eight strong regions working together, Louisiana can look forward to more capital investment, business expansion and job growth.”

For updates on Secretary Pierson’s tour stops, follow @LEDLouisiana on Twitter. Secretary Pierson’s tour locations are as follows:

Monday, Jan. 25

• Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance, Tallulah
• SAPA Extrusions plant visit, Delhi
• Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, Alexandria

Tuesday, Jan. 26

• One Acadiana, Lafayette
• Lafayette Economic Development Authority

Friday, Jan. 29

• GNO Inc., New Orleans
• South Louisiana Economic Council, Thibodaux 

Monday, Feb. 1

• North Louisiana Economic Partnership, Shreveport
• CenturyLink headquarters visit, Monroe

Wednesday, Feb. 3

• Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, Lake Charles

Friday, Feb. 5

• Baton Rouge Area Chamber