International Paper Entrepreneurship Clearinghouse

Small Business Resources for Displaced International Paper Workers

Cenla Advantage Partnership (CAP) is offering special help for International Paper’s Pineville Mill workers and others who are considering starting their own businesses by serving as a Clearinghouse between small business service and technical providers in the Cenla Area and entrepreneurs. CAP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building prosperity in Central Louisiana, funded in part by The Rapides Foundation.

The Entrepreneurial League System® of Central Louisiana (ELS-Cenla) is an initiative of the Cenla Advantage Partnership and helps entrepreneurs build the skills they need to succeed.

Gary Perkins is your main contact for Clearinghouse efforts. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, he is also the General Manager for our ELS Program. Because he works daily with entrepreneurs and small businesses, Gary has in-depth knowledge that can help you start or grow your business. He knows what steps you need to take to get started, which city, state and federal organizations you need to contact, who you need to talk to, and more importantly, what information and services you need. Contact Gary Perkins at (318) 880-6332 iphelp@cenla.org.

Agencies Providing Services, Information and Technical Assistance

• Entrepreneurial League System® – Central Louisiana (ELS) – The Entrepreneurial League System is a program designed and managed by entrepreneurs and for entrepreneurs. It organizes business people into teams according to their skill levels. Coaches at each level are experienced entrepreneurs who can help develop the skills necessary to achieve a higher level of success. Contact: Gary Perkins (318) 880-6332 iphelp@cenla.org

• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) - This organization provides low- or no-cost guidance and training for small business owners and potential owners. Contact: Francis Methvin (318) 484-2123 sfmethvinf@nsula.edu

• Accion Texas-Louisiana -  Accion is a micro lender currently opening an office in Alexandria, in the Central Louisiana Business Incubator. ACCION provides loans of $500-100,000 to small businesses who have trouble obtaining financing from banks. Contact: Stephaney Bolden (504) 373-9695 sbolden@acciontexas.org

• Central Louisiana Business Incubator –  This organization nurtures new and emerging businesses and facilitates their growth and self-sufficiency to help create new jobs and stimulate economic development in Central Louisiana. Contact: Dr. Bob Bush (318) 561-2299 info@clbi.org

• City of Alexandria Planning Department Director of Planning - The Planning Department is where you get permits and information on zoning and land use, commercial developments, floodplain designations, and demographic data, etc. Contact: Kay Michiels (318) 473-1370 shirley.deville@cityofalex.com

• Economic Development Corporation of the Delta ECD-Hope - This organization provides financial products and services. Contact: Jerry King (866) 843-3358 info@ecd.org

• Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning & Development District, Inc – This organization serves 54 member governments within eight parishes of central Louisiana. It provides economic development assistance, Comprehensive Planning, Community Development, Federal Procurement Technical Assistance, Business Development Loans, Entrepreneurial Development, Special-Purpose Planning, and Tourism and Retirement. For information call (318) 487-5454 kdelta@kricket.net

• LA Workforce Commission –  This organization can help you with unemployment questions, free training, job searches, employee hiring, etc. Contact: Dara Antee (318) 767-6044 dantee@cenlaworks.org

• Louisiana Economic Development (LED) –  This organization runs the several Small Business Programs that assist small businesses in rural and urban regions of the state. Visit their website for information, then call Gary Perkins at (318) 880-6332 gperkins@cenla.org

• LSU-A Dept. of Continuing Education – Here you can find continuing education classes here on subjects such as Business, Communication, Human Resource Management, Accounting, Certificate Courses, etc. Contact: Shere Thaxton, (318) 473-6512 sthaxton@lsua.edu

• Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana (MEPOL) - This organization provides Louisiana's manufacturing companies with a wide array of fundamental services, helping them to become more efficient, resilient, and strong in an increasingly competitive global market. Contact: Merlin Bodin (337) 482-5801 merlin.bodin@mepol.org

• Rapides Parish Sales & Use Tax Office - This office is where you can find information on and pay Sales and Use Taxes. Contact person: David Humphries (318) 445-0296 humphrie@rpst.org

• Red River Valley BIDCO - Red River Valley BIDCO, Inc. is a financial assistance corporation providing loan funds for business, industry and job creation. The RRV BIDCO supplements private lenders' efforts by either participating with them on special financing projects or by direct loans to borrowers who cannot qualify under a private lender's rule. Maximum loan amount is $1 million. Contact: M. D. LeComte (318) 632-2022 lecomte@shreve.net