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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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