Acadiana Business Resource Webinars

One Acadiana partnered with local, regional, and state organizations to host an ongoing series of COVID-19 webinars to help businesses navigate the crisis.

March 17, 2021

Federal Labor Law Compliance: Logistics, Warehousing, Transportation

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division’s District Office, located in New Orleans, offers compliance assistance training on the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Acadiana employers in the logistics, warehousing, and transportation industries. View the most recent presentation from March 17, 2022 as it reviews the employment relationship, hours worked, overtime obligations, and regular rate of pay calculations, in order to achieve compliance with labor standards.

Presentation Slide Deck

August 24, 2021

Federal Infrastructure Bill Q&A with Sen. Bill Cassidy

Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of Senators approved the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which now awaits action in the House. Sen. Bill Cassidy was one of the lead Republicans involved in the negotiations. The bill would bring nearly $6 billion in road and bridge funding to Louisiana over the next five years and includes other critical funding to support ports and airports, broadband, drainage, and more. Sen. Cassidy joined One Acadiana via Zoom to discuss the key components of the legislation and take questions.

May 5, 2021

SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund – Acadiana Region

Help is available for restaurants, bars, and other similar businesses impacted by COVID-19. The recently passed American Rescue Plan created a new $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), which provides grants to eligible entities like restaurants and bars to cover certain pandemic-related expenses. Hear as Jo Ann Lawrence, Deputy District Director of the Louisiana District Office of the SBA provides details on the RRF, guide Acadiana businesses through the application process.

Presentation Slide Deck

 

March 3, 2021

Federal Funding for State and Local Governments

Experts from The Picard Group presented an update on the FY21 Budget Reconciliation package, which includes direct aid for state and local governments to help governments combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presentation Slide Deck

For more information, visit The Picard Group website.

March 3, 2021

1A + LABI Legislative Outlook

1A and LABI discuss the State Legislature’s upcoming Regular Session.

February 24, 2021

1A Webinar: Federal Updates with Senator Bill Cassidy

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy joined One Acadiana for a virtual discussion on the latest updates from Washington, D.C., including leadership changes in the Senate, the COVID-19 stimulus package, federal energy policy, and more.

January 19, 2021

COVID-19 and Disaster Relief: Impact of Recent Federal Legislation on Business

Experts from The Picard Group presented an overview of the end-of-year pandemic relief passed by Congress, including the second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit, and grants for shuttered live venues.

Presentation Slide Deck

For more information, here are two great resources:

SBA’s COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

U.S. Chamber’s Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans

November 24, 2020

Event: Ballots over Breakfast – Dec. 5 Election

Steven Procopio of PAR provided an overview of the statewide Constitutional Amendment on the ballot, and Christiaan Mader of The Current discussed other local issues, including two City of Lafayette sales tax rededications and the role of the City Marshal.

Ballots Over Breakfast – Dec. 5 Election 2020 Slide Deck

October 15, 2020

Event: Ballots over Breakfast

State Treasurer John Schroder, Rep. Beau Beaullieu, and Steven Procopio of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR) joined 1A to share the pros and cons of the seven proposed Constitutional Amendments on the November 3 ballot.

Ballots Over Breakfast 2020 Slide Deck

PAR Guide to the 2020 Constitutional Amendments

1A November 3 Ballot Guide

1A Positions on the 2020 Constitutional Amendments

September 22, 2020

Webinar: Resources to Grow Your Business

This webinar provides an overview of programs offered through Louisiana Economic Development (LED) to cultivate small business opportunities.

Webinar Slide Deck

September 2, 2020

Webinar: Using Shopify to Launch Your E-Commerce Business

This interactive webinar gives small business owners the tactical tools to set up an e-commerce website through Shopify, which has partnered with Louisiana Economic Development on the LASmallBizOnline.com e-commerce initiative.

Webinar Slide Deck

July 22, 2020

Webinar: COVID-19 Recovery and the 2020 Legislative Sessions

A panel of State Representatives from the Acadiana region recap some of the major outcomes from the Regular and Special Sessions and discuss Louisiana’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

July 7, 2020

Webinar: Louisiana Main Street Recovery Program

State Treasurer John Schroder presented on the new Louisiana Main Street Recovery Program, which will provide grants of up to $15,000 to eligible Louisiana small businesses to cover eligible expenses related to COVID-19 that have not been covered by the PPP or other federal assistance programs.

Webinar Slide Deck

June 10, 2020

Getting the Most out of the PPP

Heidi Melancon of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at UL Lafayette and Eddie Buttross of IBERIABANK provide information on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the PPP changes recently passed by Congress – the PPP Flexibility Act. The Act, which President Trump signed into law on June 5, provides greater flexibility for loan forgiveness and spending. Heidi and Eddie also walk through the current PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and take questions from the audience.

Webinar Slide Deck

May 19, 2020

New Skills, New Opportunities: A Conversation with Higher Ed Leaders

Dr. Nancee Sorenson of LSUE, Dr. Claire Arabie, of UL Lafayette, and Jermaine Ford of SLCC cover the Acadiana Opportunity initiative, and education and training opportunities available through Acadiana’s higher education institutions.

Acadiana Opportunity Web Portal

Webinar Slide Deck

May 12, 2020

Getting Back to Work Safely

Chad Abell of ACSW, Tessa Brown of CCI Piping Systems, Neil Davis of Acadian Companies, and Brent Hebert of Dupre Logistics share what getting back to work safely means to them and their companies. 1A shared a set of resources for businesses to consider when developing reopening plans, including official guidance and examples of new workplace protocols.

 

Sample COVID-19 return-to-work plan

Dupré Logistics reference documents

Bain and Co. COVID-19 action plan

Chad Abell blog on healthy buildings

ASHRM resources

April 28, 2020

Rethinking Business: Forging a New Path in the Wake of COVID-19

Cherie Hebert of BBR, Destin Ortego of Opportunity Machine, Cian Robinson of Lafayette General Health, and Missy Rogers, Noble Plastics discuss how businesses can embrace innovation and creativity to sustain their operations and support economic recovery.

Webinar Document

April 21, 2020

Louisiana’s Tourism Economy Post-COVID-19

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, Ben Berthelot of Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, Randy Daniel of La Pizzeria Lafayette, and Jimmy Thackston of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette discuss COVID-19 impacts to Louisiana’s tourism economy and how tourism and hospitality leaders are thinking about the future.

Webinar Slide Deck

April 14, 2020

COVID-19 Issues Facing Landlords & Tenants

Attorneys from Jones Walker’s real estate team discussed some of the different issues facing landlords and tenants as a result of COVID-19, including force majeure, rent relief, landlord/tenant conflicts, and more. Following the Jones Walker presentation, Jim Keaty of Keaty Real Estate presented an update on Lafayette’s real estate market as well as some tips and things to look out for.

Webinar Slide Deck

April 7, 2020

COVID-19 Impacts on the Oil & Gas Industry

Gifford Briggs of LOGA gave a presentation on COVID-19’s impacts on the oil & gas industry, including projected job losses and broader economic consequences. Rep. Jean-Paul Coussan, Chairman of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, discussed policy steps that can be taken at the local, state, and federal level to support the industry’s recovery.

Webinar Slide Deck

March 31, 2020

COVID-19 Assistance for Self-Employed Individuals and Others

Susheel Kumar of the Small Business Administration presented an overview of federal assistance available to sole proprietors, individual contractors, and other self-employed individuals as a result of COVID-19.

Webinar Slide Deck
Q&A Summary

March 31, 2020

Managing Your Workforce in Response to COVID-19

NeunerPate presented a summary of the employment law implications of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and other COVID-19 related federal legislation, including paid sick leave and family and medical leave requirements.

Webinar Slide Deck
Q&A Summary

March 27, 2020

COVID-19 Federal Response and What It Means for Small Businesses

The Picard Group joined us for an update on the recently negotiated federal stimulus package and other policy measures in response to COVID-19.

Webinar Slide Deck
Paycheck Protection Program Guide

March 24, 2020

Disaster Loans and Other SBA Resources & Getting Your Business Ready to Sell Online

 

UPDATE, APRIL 15: Understanding Financial Assistance for Small Business Due to COVID-19 Disruptions

 

This two-part webinar focused on disaster loans and other resources provided by the Small Business Association. Participants also heard from local small business leaders who shared tips and best practices on how to pivot to online sales.

Webinar Slide Deck
SBA Disaster Loan Presentation

PARTNER WEBINARS

May 21
Louisiana Small Business Development Center:
Restarting Your Business: PPP Compliance
(Password: “0e&n6yK?”)

Presentation

Watch

April 9
Entergy:
Louisiana Small Business Assistance

Watch

April 3
The Daily Advertiser:
Town Hall with U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy
Discussion about the coronavirus pandemic.

Watch

April 2
Rep. Clay Higgins:
Small Business & Chambers of Commerce
Telephone Town Hall

Listen

April 2
Kean Miller:
Putting the CARES Act to Work
for Your Business

Presentation

Watch

April 1
Time Picayune | Advocate:
Town Hall with U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise
Discussion about stimulus bill to assist Americans during coronavirus.

Watch

March 31
Postlethwaite & Netterville:
Navigating COVID-19 Relief Resources
for your Business

Presentation

Watch