Louisiana SBDC at McNeese State University

11/02/2026

10/27/2026

We're bringing a McNeese College of Business tradition back to campus on Wednesday, November 11!

Throughout the morning, nearly 30 business and industry professionals will be visiting our classrooms to share their career journeys, experiences, and advice with students!

Students can also take advantage of FREE professional headshots with Tademy Photography from 9 AM–12 PM in BBC 118! Need something professional to wear? The Cowboy Closet will have attire available!

We'll wrap up the day with a luncheon and keynote featuring McNeese alumna Vickie Wicks, Senior Financial Advisor & Principal with Edward Jones. The luncheon is reserved for scheduled classes and invited guests, with lunch generously provided by Crust Pizza Co.!

We're excited to have so many business professionals on campus and bringing Business Day back to McNeese!

CONNECT. BUILD. LAUNCH.

10/23/2026

NOW OPEN: The 2027 award nomination season has arrived!

From generational businesses to innovative startups, the awards will honor America's best entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, investing locally, and powering our nation's economy.

Submit nominations by December 7: https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/organization/observances/national-small-business-week/

10/20/2026

A bigger investment is taking shape in Southwest Louisiana.

Aclara Resources has completed basic engineering for its heavy rare earths separation facility at the Port of Vinton, with the project’s estimated investment growing from $277 million to $494 million.

The expanded plans mean greater processing capacity and more production capabilities right here in Louisiana.

Learn more ➡️:https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/67b9c5dc15db73b34fcf2bf3/6acde746dddf4fa68bd9af72_Aclara%20-%20Project%20Dynamo%20Basic%20Engineering%20_FV%20(10.12.2026).pdf

10/02/2026

Congratulations to Dean Day, Center Director of the Louisiana SBDC at McNeese State University, on being named the 2026 Louisiana SBDC State Star!

The State Star Award is one of the highest honors within America's Small Business Development Center network, recognizing outstanding performance and leadership in supporting small businesses.

And the numbers show just how much Dean and the LSBD at McNeese are doing for businesses across Southwest Louisiana. In 2025, Dean helped:
- Launch 30 businesses
- Create 98 jobs and retain 43 more
- Secure $4.3 million in capital
- Contribute to $3.1 million in sales growth

Dean joined the LSBDC at McNeese in 2022, earned the Louisiana SBDC Rising Star Award in 2024, and was named Center Director in 2026.

From helping entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground to working with established businesses as they grow, Dean and the LSBDC at McNeese are doing incredible work throughout our region.

Congratulations, Dean, on this well-deserved recognition!

09/24/2026

Here is a work-based learning program from the Calcasieu Parish School Board that combines school with local business owners. See flyer for details.

09/17/2026

Capitalize 2026: Funding Your Small Business was a success!

Thank you to our sponsors:
⚜️Southwest Louisiana Credit Union for the delicious sugar cookies from
⚜️Greater Lake Charles Area Chamber for the coffee

Thank you to our speakers:
⚜️ Heidi Melancon, Louisiana SBDC State Office
⚜️ Vallery Brumfield, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
⚜️ Gerald Brooks, U.S. SBA
⚜️ Lauren Cullins, Louisiana Exonomic Development (LED)
⚜️ Marissa Doin, LED
⚜️Shelley Mancuso, Southwest Louisiana

Thank You to:
⚜️ Mike Reese, President of McNeese State University for the opening address welcoming business owners and entrepreneurs
⚜️ Dean Day, Center Director of the LSBDC at McNeese for guiding and supporting this programming
⚜️ Jacob Kiser, Business Consultant with the LSBDC at McNeese for serving as Master of Ceremonies
⚜️ Devin McComb, The Wax Studio, for donating the door prize
⚜️Ana Denison, Greater Lake Charles Chamber for supporting our marketing efforts and technical support
⚜️ Blaine Smith, Louisiana Economic Develoment, who came up with the idea for the “Capitalize” small business lending event
⚜️Areiona Freeman and Nicole Moncrief with the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for their marketing support

And thank you to our Louisiana small business owners and entrepreneurs who attended. It is an honor to support you through innovation, education, and resources.

If you need any help starting, running, and/or growing your business, contact us at the LSBDC at McNeese.

We are here to support and guide you through your business-building journey.

09/15/2026

https://events.greaterlakecharleschamber.org/events/details/2026-lunch-and-learn-series-own-a-machine-not-a-job-3279

09/14/2026

If you are an established small business owner or new entrepreneur looking for funding, join the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University for this interactive training.



Learning Outcomes:

- Craft a comprehensive business plan,

- Develop sound financial projections, and

- Understand the range of small business loan programs available



Participants will learn what lenders look for in loan applications, how to prepare for funding success, and connect with local lenders and resource partners including but not limited to:



1. Louisiana Small Business Development Center State Network

2. U.S. Small Business Administration

3. Louisiana Economic Development

4. Southwest Louisiana Credit Union

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Register today & take the next step toward funding your business goals.

Registration Link: https://www2.lsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=4460115