Acadiana Regional Development District is a regional planning and resource center for the State of Louisiana, and is dedicated to serve the people, businesses, communities, and local government units within the eight parishes (counties) of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion.
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ARDD's mission is to promote and foster economic development through regional partnerships and cooperation by facilitating cooperation among local governments, educational institutions, and state and federal agencies. ARDD serves as a liaison with the State and Federal agencies concerned with comprehensive planning & development of the District and assists local governments in planning for common needs and in recognizing regional opportunities.
Our mission goes beyond planning and development. ARDD can also assist BUSINESS clients with a wide range of issues through various programs and projects. These services include, but are not limited to:
- business start-up & development
- training
- small business loans
- statistical & demographic data
- information and referrals
FISHERY WORKERS ELIGIBLE FOR AID
Help may be available for fishermen and seafood dealers in Louisinaa affected by Hurricanes Gustave and Ike in 2008.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries is beginning an assistance program and is holding seven workshops in Louisiana coastal communities to qualify those eligible. Three workshops are being held in southwest and southcentral Louisinaa this week to explain the program and offer eligible fishermen and seafood dealers an opportunity to ask questions. Each eligible fisherman and dealer will receive a blue information packet containing program details and instructions on how to receive a reimbursement for eligible expenses. The workshops are from 1 PM to 8 PM each of the following dates and places: Thursday, Hackberry Community Center, 986 Main Street Friday, Abbeville Vermilion Parish Library, 405 St Victor Street Saturday, Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, 728 Myrtle Street Contact South Central Planning and Development Commission with eligibility questions at 1-800-630-3791 or visit www.scpdc.org/fisheriesassistance. SMALL BUSINESS LOANS AVAILABLE
Acadiana Regional Development District (ARDD) has funds available to lend to existing businesses located in the parishes of:
ACADIA, ALLEN, BEAUREGARD, CAMERON, CALCASIEU, EVANGELINE, JEFFERSON DAVIS, IBERIA, LAFAYETTE, ST LANDRY, ST MARTIN, ST MARY AND VERMILION Qualifications: Must be an existing business, must have adequate collateral, and must have a credit score of 640 or better. Loans will be considered for the purposes of purchasing, repairing, or modernizing equipment or machinery; operating expenses (rent, utilities, insurance, etc.); refinancing more expensive debt. The "pre-application" loan form is available on the BUSINESS SERVICES section of this site or call Ms. Joi Morton at 337-886-7782, ext. 216. The completed pre-application form must be mailed to the attention of Ms. Joi Morton at ARDD, P.O. Box 90070, Lafayette, LA 70509, or it may be delivered to 601 Loire Avenue, Ste. A, Lafayette. $1.7 M INVESTMENT IN LA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Landrieu, Melancon Announce $1.7 Million Investment in La. Economic Development
Grants will benefit coastal communities recovering from Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike April 30, 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (LA-03) today announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce will make three economic development investments in Louisiana. These funds will support programs focused on recovery through economic development in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. The grants will support Idea Village in New Orleans ($800,000), the Greater New Orleans Development Foundation ($750,000) and the Evangeline Economic and Planning District ($150,000). “Innovation and entrepreneurship are key to our recovery in south Louisiana,” said Rep. Melancon. “These grants will support economic development in communities across coastal Louisiana, growing our local businesses and helping them create new jobs for our workers.” The Greater New Orleans Regional Economic Alliance (GNO) will receive $750,000 to implement a coordinated economic recovery strategy, seizing on the unique assets of the region. The GNO serves Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes. “This is a very exciting opportunity for GNO, Inc. and the region,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “This funding will create the capacity to accelerate our roadmap for new growth and investment in Greater New Orleans. Our efforts have focused largely on creating a re-energized regional collaborative that can capitalize on the full range of assets found in this 10-parish area. From our strategic location at the mouth of the Mississippi, to our developing industries in film and digital media, our region is in a unique position to continue adding jobs and new investment. GNO, Inc. thanks the EDA and our regional partners for this grant.” The Idea Village program in New Orleans will receive $800,000. This program matches visiting MBA students with local entrepreneurs and start-up companies to provide technical assistance and business investment assistance to ensure the success of emerging industries in the New Orleans region. This grant will support green technology, medical distribution and production, information technology, web development and digital media production. “While Katrina may be New Orleans' greatest challenge, it could also be our resounding legacy,” explains Tim Williamson, Co-Founder and CEO of The Idea Village. “New Orleans has become a domestic laboratory of innovation and entrepreneurship. With support from the Economic Development Administration, The Idea Village is developing innovative programs that can be replicated nationwide to foster economic recovery and growth through entrepreneurship.” An additional $150,000 will be invested in to the Evangeline Economic and Planning District DBA Acadiana Regional Development District (ARDD), which encompasses Acadian, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary and Vermillion parishes. These funds will provide additional personnel and resources to allow the Evangeline Economic and Planning District to assist in monitoring several Economic Development Administration disaster recovery projects in the region. “These funds will enable ARDD to provide staff members for individual counseling and information to residents, business recovery loans to small businesses, as well as, individual technical assistance to local municipalities, during a disaster recovery period,” said Grayling Hadnott, Economic Development Planner for the Evangeline Economic and Planning District/ARDD. |
Acadiana Regional Development District is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Service Provider.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.