Louisiana Growth Network Now Accepting Applications for 2025 Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative

 

• Fifth annual Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative seeks to accelerate second-stage small business growth in rural Louisiana communities.

• The initiative includes a virtual kickoff retreat, monthly peer learning roundtables, and customized business intelligence to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses.

• Companies must apply online by May 31 to be considered.

 

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Growth Network is now accepting applications for its 2025 Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative through May 31. This small business program helps companies address challenges unique to rural communities. Recognizing the distinct challenges rural entrepreneurs face, the initiative provides participants with tools, expertise and strategic support to help scale their companies and strengthen their communities.

Program participants must be second-stage businesses, which typically have 5-99 employees, $1 million to $50 million in annual sales, and are poised for further growth, often spurred by expansion to out of state markets. Delivered in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, the initiative is designed to address issues that are common to all small businesses but magnified in rural areas, such as capitalizing on new opportunities, expanding a team, and marketing digitally.

Following a virtual kickoff retreat, participants will have the opportunity to work with LED’s System for Integrated Growth, which provides one-on-one access to expert specialists who generate customized research deliverables aligned with specific company needs. Participants also remain engaged through three monthly peer-to-peer learning roundtables.

At the core of the program is a focus on helping entrepreneurs define what growth means not only for their businesses but also for the rural communities in which they reside. Whether addressing operational constraints, leadership development, or market expansion, the Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative empowers participants with knowledge and actionable strategies for scaling.

“LED’s Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative provided invaluable support and guidance to me and my business. I thoroughly enjoyed learning from other leaders and facilitators about weaknesses in my business and how to improve in those areas.” – GATR Coolers CEO Bryan McGehee

Since its inception, more than 40 companies from a wide range of industries including manufacturing, healthcare, construction, cybersecurity and technology have completed the program. From Thibodaux to Vivian, Farmerville, Lacassine and various other cities, these companies have been able to spur business growth and job creation in rural communities across Louisiana’s eight diverse economic regions.

Applications will be accepted through the end of May at OpportunityLouisiana.com/Rural-Entrepreneurship.

For more information about the Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative, contact Christopher Cassagne at Christopher.Cassagne@la.gov or 225-342-5882.