The 2nd Round of the SWLA Alliance’s “Pathway to Small Business Recovery” Grant Program wrapped up last week with the presentation of $3,000 grants to over 50 Southwest Louisiana businesses. This round of grant funding was provided by the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.
“We are overjoyed and relieved that the Community Foundation has stepped in to continue this vital assistance for hurricane impacted businesses that need quick funding to return to business”, said George Swift, President/CEO of the Alliance. “With this new avenue of funding, we were able to extend the scope of this grant to include all five parishes within Southwest Louisiana: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis,” continued Swift.
To be eligible, applicants had to be a for-profit business, in operation for two or more years, have less than 25 employees, and be located within Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis Parishes. Recipients ranged in industry from restaurants, medical practices, professional and personal service companies, childcare care, and retail. Over 20% of the grants distributed went to small businesses outside of Calcasieu Parish.
“The Community Foundation is pleased to partner with the SWLA Alliance on the Pathway to Small Business Recovery Grant. Our Hurricane Relief and Recovery Fund has received almost 4,000 individual and corporate contributions all to help the people and communities of Southwest Louisiana recover. We have made grants to nonprofits to support relief efforts immediately after Hurricanes Laura and again after Delta, and now are making grants to aid in the recovery of our region. Our Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter. Since small businesses are integral to each community, this is a cause that matters in the recovery and rebuilding of Southwest Louisiana,” said Sara McLeod Judson, President/CEO, The Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.
The application process was handled by the staff of the SWLA Alliance Foundation, and applications were accepted online at www.allianceswla.org and in person at the SEED Center.
The SWLA Alliance’s “Pathway to Small Business Recovery” Grant Program was initially made possible by a $150,000 seed grant from the Sempra Energy Foundation. The first round of $3,000 grants were distributed to fifty business within Southwest Louisiana.
