Small and Minority Business Services

Diverse small business ownership is essential to our region’s economic success. One Acadiana is committed to increasing Acadiana’s competitive advantage by supporting the growth of small and minority-owned businesses.

One Acadiana’s Lafayette Chamber Affairs program offers one-on-one counseling, direct services, and referrals to provide owners of small and minority-owned businesses the assistance needed to start, manage, and grow their enterprise.

One Acadiana offers the following business services, free of charge:

Business Formation and Registration

 

One Acadiana provides:

• Information on navigating the state’s business registration process for new businesses
• Assistance with developing operating and partnership agreements

Our referral partners include:

• CPAs and accounting firms for sales and employment tax account setup and bookkeeping
• Legal professionals for further assistance with partnership agreements, contracts, patents, and trademarks

 

Business Plans and Models

 

One Acadiana provides:

• Guidance on developing business plans using Small Business Administration (SBA) standards

Our referral partners include:

• Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) for revisions to business plans
• Opportunity Machine (OM) for help with structuring the appropriate business model

 

Certifications & Government Contract Assistance

 

One Acadiana provides:

• Assistance with obtaining various certifications, including:
• DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
• MBE (Minority Business Enterprise)
• Small & Emerging Business Certification
• Hudson Initiative
• Assistance in creating Statements of Capability and other documentation needed to obtain procurement opportunities

Our referral partners include:

• Louisiana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (LAPTAC) for further technical assistance with government contracting