U.S. Department of Commerce
Link: U.S. Department of Commerce
| While the Small Business Administration is the primary federal agency that advises and assists small businesses, the U.S. Department of Commerce has a number of programs that provide information and/or services to U.S. businesses. |
8(a) Business Development Program
Link: 8(a) Business Development Program
| The SBA's 8(a) BD Program, named for a section of the Small Business Act, is a business development initiative that helps small disadvantaged business concerns compete in the American economy. As part of the business development of the 8(a) firms, SBA helps small disadvantaged business concerns to access the federal contracting marketplace. Certification through the SBA 8(a) program is required for participation in this program. |
AEP Southwestern Electric Power ®
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 888-216-3523
Link: AEP Southwestern Electric Power ®
| AEP SWEPCO is a leading provider of low-cost energy and related services. Based in Shreveport, AEP SWEPCO serves more than 426,000 customers in northwest Louisiana, northeast Texas and western Arkansas. The company’s Economic Development Department assists communities with the creation of new industries and jobs. It also helps existing industry maximize expansion opportunities. |
Ark-La-Tex Investment & Development Corporation
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318-632-2022
Link: Ark-La-Tex Investment & Development Corporation
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Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center, Inc.
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318-671-1050
Link: Ark-La-Tex Regional Export & Technology Center, Inc.
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Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318-675-4101
Link: Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana & Center For Biomedic
| The BRF is a not-for-profit corporation established to enhance and promote scientific capacity and technology related development in Northwest Louisiana. Because Shreveport-Bossier is a health care destination for the surrounding region, the foundation's goal is to build on the existing medical infrastructure and create a nationally recognized biomedical/ biotechnology research and development center. |
Brownfields Assistance Program
Shreveport Department of Community Development
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318-673-7660
Link: Brownfields Assistance Program
| Assists in the development of Brownfields properties. The program enrolls properties that can benefit from the program’s assistance in coordinating environmental services, promoting the site to developers, and if funding allows, financing environmental assessments. |
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Link: Bureau of Economic Analysis
| The Bureau of Economic Analysis is the nation's accountant, interpreting data to draw a complete picture of the U.S. economy. The BEA's economic accounts provide information on economic growth, regional development, and the nation's position in the world economy. |
Bureau of Industry and Security Mission Statement
Link: Bureau of Industry and Security Mission Statement
| The mission of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economic interests. BIS's activities include regulating the export of sensitive goods and technologies in an effective and efficient manner; enforcing export control, anti-boycott, and public safety laws; cooperating with and assisting other countries on export control and strategic trade issues; assisting U.S. industry to comply with international arms control agreements; monitoring the viability of the U.S. defense industrial base; and promoting federal initiatives and public-private partnerships to protect the nation's critical infrastructures. |
Bureau of the Census
Link: Bureau of the Census
| The Constitution commands that a census be taken every 10 years. The purpose is the apportionment of seats in Congress, but the information collected provides the cornerstone of knowledge about the people of our nation. |