NEWS RELEASE
3727 Government Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302 http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la/
Release No.: 08082006-1 Contact: Holly L. Martien, (318) 473-7917 holly.martien@la.usda.gov
LSU BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER RECEIVES GRANT FOR MOBILE CLASSROOM Senator Landrieu and Congressman Alexander Present USDA Funds in St. Joseph ST. JOSEPH, August 8, 2006 – Senator Mary Landrieu and Congressman Rodney Alexander of Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District joined Karen Nardini, Acting State Director for USDA Rural Development in Louisiana, today in St. Joseph to present $145,180 in USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant funds to LSU’s Business and Technology Center in support of their “Driving Louisiana’s Economy” mobile classroom. Accepting the grant funds was Charles F. “Charlie” D’Agostino, Executive Director for the Business and Technology Center. The USDA grant funds will be used to provide technical assistance and training services to small and emerging private business enterprises in 37 rural parishes: Allen, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, Desoto, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Mary, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Vermilion, Vernon, Washington, West Carroll, and Winn. The mobile classroom was in St. Joseph to provide local residents business development training. Instructors from the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Louisiana Tech Transfer Office provided workshops throughout the day. LSU’s Business and Technology Center began its “Driving Louisiana’s Economy” initiative in 2005. The mobile classroom has traveled throughout Louisiana providing workshops, seminars, and training sessions for residents in rural parishes. USDA Rural Development provides a full range of rural development credit services in rural Louisiana. The Louisiana Rural Development State Office is located at 3727 Government Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302, and the telephone number is (318) 473-7921. There are four area offices located throughout the state to serve Louisiana residents. Further information on USDA Rural Development’s loan and grant programs can be obtained by visiting Rural Development’s web site at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov. USDA Rural Development is an equal opportunity lender, provider, and employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Washington, DC 20250-9140. #