Baton Rouge, Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, October 23, 2007 – State Director Clyde Holloway presented $145,000 in USDA Rural Development grant funds to Louisiana State University Business and Technology Center during ceremonies at the 2007 Louisiana Purchase Venture Capital Forum in Baton Rouge.  The grant funds will be used by LSU to provide technical assistance and training services to Louisiana’s small and emerging private business enterprises in 37 rural parishes.  Charles F. “Charlie” D’Agostino, Executive Director for the Business and Technology Center, accepted the grant funds for LSU.

 “LSU’s Business and Technology Center reaches out to rural communities through their “Driving Louisiana’s Economy” mobile classroom,” said Holloway.  “Business professionals in rural areas are able to learn from university staff and industry leaders—without leaving home.  We are proud to be a part of this effort.”

 The grant funds were awarded through USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program.  The RBEG program provides funding to schools, businesses, and local organizations to help them conduct economic development activities, finance business expansions, and make infrastructure improvements.

 Parishes benefiting from this grant award are:  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.

USDA Rural Development State Director Clyde Holloway congratulates Charlie D’Agastino, Executive Director of LSU's Louisiana Business and Technology Center on the grant award.

LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business banner.