at where the real job creation is happening, it’s at the small business level,”says Ricks.“So, where you might get excited about a large business coming in to create jobs in an instance, the fact is that you get just as much economic impact from a large company coming in and creating 300 jobs as you get from 300 small businesses creating one job each.” However, Ricks points out that at the same time, small businesses need large companies and there is a significant value for small businesses when big industry relocates to the state, and that entrepreneurs should take advantage of the opportunities it presents. “People are starting to see that with the costs of operating a business, it’s advantageous to relocate here to Louisiana,” says Ricks.“While that’s good for large businesses, it’s also good for small businesses, because the people who work in these jobs – these large companies that come in – they need small businesses to support them. They need products and services offered by small businesses. It’s more cost effective for large companies to engage local companies to provide those products and services.”
Reaching Entrepreneurs Across Louisiana A recent Louisiana Workforce Commission study found that in the next three years, 86,300 new jobs in technical fields will be available. During this period of industrial expansion throughout the state, which is creating the unique workforce demand, Southern is particularly poised to help close the expanding workforce gap between Louisiana’s ability to produce skilled technical workers and the rising regional demand for them, in helping small businesses launch and expand. “We recognize that entrepreneurs can be the difference-makers for our state’s economy,” says Mason.“As we look at expanding workforce development efforts we know that small businesses have to be a major part of the solution, and we have to tap into this sector and ensure we are providing training and counseling that’s needed to guarantee their success.” The SU System is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of business owners. With campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, plus the Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Southern has the capacity to reach small businesses in almost every parish throughout the state as they help to propel economic activity in Louisiana. Former banker Will Campbell serves as the director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at Southern University Baton Rouge (LSBDC-SUBR). “It’s all about impact,”says Campbell.“Southern University is blanketing the entire state in economic development. Southern is building a coalition. We are the economic development arm of this University, the gateway to the community.” OVATIONS ❘ 28
“Small businesses profit local communities, as well as the entire state of Louisiana. They add to the tax base, overall economy, and provide employment for thousands of people. Southern University is here to help them make their dreams come true.” — Ronald Mason Jr., president, SU System The Center is indeed having a tremendous impact, topping all other Small Business Development Centers in the state with its economic development efforts. Last year alone Campbell and his team trained 1,154 people, counseled 465 businesses, created 146 jobs, and infused $5.2 million in capital. The Center’s walls are lined with success stories featuring pictures of entrepreneurs they have assisted in the Capital Region. “All of those people on the wall came to us with a dream, and we got to play a part in helping them make their dreams come true,”says Campbell.” The Center helps launch and expand all types of businesses. Campbell was able to point to successful companies they have touched in all industries, including: construction, manufacturing, restaurants, technology, day cares, plus much more. Small business owner and SU alumnus Eric Porter expanded his construction company, ComNet, in 2011 with the help of Southern. Dealing with an ever-changing economy, and what Porter called a continuous game of doge ball to see who would be laid off next at his previous job, he started planning for the future and was prepared when his position as a senior manager with AT&T ended. He had previously started a company and decided to expand it with the help of Southern. He now employs seven people as well as a small number of subcontractors through his business. ComNet LLC was founded in 1998 as an IT consultant and eventually diversified to the field of construction in 2005, and is a Louisiana commercial licensed general contractor specializing in the design and building of churches, mu-
Spring/Summer 2014