Shreveport is the third-largest city in Louisiana, with a population of over 150,000. It is situated by the Red River, and encompasses bounteous neighborhoods, districts, and areas. Once recognized by its plentiful oil reserves, today it thrives in a relatively stable economy that is open for business and providing support to those with special needs.
Small Business Administration
Provides monetary assistance to women through partial credit guarantees on small business credits administered by banks and other commercial creditors. When a credit application does not meet the credit requirements, the Small Business Administration offers financial assistance that would otherwise not be available regularly. For more information on such financial assistance, visit the following page https://www.shreveportla.gov/787/Local-Contacts
- Guaranteed 7(a) Loan
Offered to a majority of women’s start-ups and small businesses with a maximum credit sum of $2 million. This financial assistance can be used for the purpose of attaining furniture, machinery, and other equipment. It can also be used for repairs, construction, or leasehold improvements. The Small Business Administration can be contacted through the following number (318) 676-3196.
- 504 Programs
Given to women-owned businesses with no more than $6 million net worth, and a median income no more than $2 million in the previous two years. Maximum debenture credits can amount to $1 million and are to be used exclusively for fixed assets and create one job for every $35,000 spent.
- International Trade Loan Program
Accessible to women-owned small businesses participating in international trade, or have been negatively affected by competition from imports. The Small Business Association can provide up to $1,250,000 for financial assistance. Fixed-assets must not exceed $1 million, and the non-fixed asset portion must not exceed $750,000. Also, this financial assistance cannot be used to repay existing debt. For more information, contact the Shreveport Export Assistance Center at 318-676-3064.
- Export Working Capital Program
Provides temporary working capital to women-owned businesses dealing with export for enabling them to finance such processes. Through the Export Working Capital Program, up to $750,000 of credit can be accessed and is to be used exclusively for export-related operations. More information can be accessed through the Shreveport Export Assistance Center.
Employee Training Programs
- Incumbent Worker Training Program
The training aimed towards developing the skills of existing women employees within a business. It promotes employee productivity and the overall economic acceleration of the business. In order to participate in the Incumbent Worker Training Program, a business must have been managed in Louisiana and provided to the state’s unemployment insurance system for a minimum of 3 years. Women-owned small businesses are especially encouraged to take part in the program. For additional information, call 318-676-7789, or visit the page link: https://www.shreveportla.gov/113/Incumbent-Worker-Training-Program
- Louisiana Job Employment and Training
Provides training of basic workplace skills, literacy training, counseling, referrals to other agencies, individual assessments, testing, work ethic improvement training, job preparedness training, etc. For more information, go to https://www.shreveportla.gov/785/Job-Employment-Training
- Welfare to Work
Financed by the Louisiana Department of Labor, with an aim to assist welfare recipients with moving on to acquiring work and becoming financially self-sufficient. This is done through a number of activities, such as on-the-job training, vocational training, work coaching, occupational assessments, financial counseling, housing assistance, and transportation assistance. The Welfare to Work program also offers childcare assistance to single moms with little time, and even substance abuse counseling and referrals. More information can be discovered on https://www.shreveportla.gov/114/Welfare-to-Work
- Workforce Investment Act
Implemented in 1998, and conducted by the City of Shreveport’s Department of Community Development. Through this act, economically disadvantaged and dislocated women may gain access to training services such as occupational skills, cooperative education, on-the-job training, employability, as well as private sector training. For those wishing to apply at a community college, vocational-technical schools, or other accredited educational institutions may receive financial assistance in concern to tuition, literature, and necessary training equipment. To learn more, click on https://www.shreveportla.gov/115/Workforce-Investment-Act
Shreveport Water Assistance Program
A program with a mission to financially assist with water and sewer payments to women in need. Such assistance may be received twice per year. Legitimate documentation that demonstrates participation in the Food Stamp Program, or Child Care Assistance Program, or the support of a Supplemental Security Income is necessary in order to apply. For more information, click on the following link https://www.shreveportla.gov/2375/Payment-Assistance
Providence House
Primarily aimed towards assisting homeless women (including single mothers), to find temporary housing and eventually move on to becoming self-sufficient. This is done by empowering women to regain their hope and independence. Providence house administers services such as a Child Development Center for homeless children of 0-4 years of age, a Working to Learn program for adults through which they can also earn their high school equivalency diploma, or even enroll at Bossier Parish Community College or Northwest Louisiana Technical College. Their housing program accommodates up to 80 people, whilst at the same time managing 40 additional apartments throughout northwest Louisiana. In addition to educational and housing services, this organization provides supportive services such as professional case managers, clinical professionals, counselors, dietary teams, teaching staff, and administrative staff. To learn more about the numerous services Providence House has to offer the disadvantaged, visit their official webpage through https://theprovidencehouse.com/