Certified Louisiana Economic Developer Program

Business Retention and Expansion

                Location:  SEED Center, McNeese State University,

     4310 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA

 Day 1: Monday, October 7, 2024 

 

8:30AM-9:00AM                   Sign-in and Networking

                                                                     Light breakfast and coffee

9:00AM-9:15AM                 Welcome and Introductions

CLED staff introductions and attendee introductions

Overview of the course objectives and agenda

9:15AM-10:30AM              Fundamentals of Business Retention and Expansion and Creating a BRE Program from Scratch {1.25 hr}  

                                                                     Mark Mouton, Lafayette Economic Development Authority

                                                                     Brandy Ledet, Louisiana Economic Development

10:30AM-10:45AM                 Break

 

10:45AM-12:00PM                 Developing a BRE Action Plan &Data-Driven Decision Making {1.25 hr}

                                                                     Mark Mouton, Lafayette Economic Development Authority

                                                                     Brandy Ledet, Louisiana Economic Development

12:00PM-1:00PM                  Lunch Break

 

1:00PM-2:15PM                   Identifying At-Risk Businesses & Building Strong Relationships {1.25 hr}

                                                                     Mark Mouton, Lafayette Economic Development Authority

                                                                     Brandy Ledet, Louisiana Economic Development

2:15PM-3:30PM                   Interactive Workshop: Developing Your BRE Program {1.25 hr}

 Mark Mouton, Lafayette Economic Development Authority

 Brandy Ledet, Louisiana Economic Development

3:30PM-3:45PM                   Drive to SASOL [carpooling advised]

3:45PM-5:00PM                   BRE Project Tour: SASOL [must wear closed toe shoes] {1.25 hr}

5:00PM-7:00PM                   Dinner & Mixer

Day 2:  Tuesday, October 8, 2024 

 

8:30AM-9:00AM                     Light Breakfast and Networking

                                                                  

9:00AM-10:15AM                  Leveraging Local Resources for Business Support and Long-Term Sustainability {1.25 hr}

                                                                     Lafe Jones, Louisiana Central   

10:15AM-10:30AM               Break

 

10:30AM-12:00PM               BRE Practitioner Panel: State, Regional and Local Collaborations {1.5 hr}

                                                                      State- David Bennett, Louisiana Economic Development

                                                                      Regional- Lafe Jones, Louisiana Central

                                                                      Local- Mike Tarantino, Iberia Industrial Development Foundation

                                                                      Moderated by: Gus Fontenot, SWLA Economic Development Alliance

12:00PM-1:00PM                  Lunch Break

 

1:00PM-2:15PM                    Fireside Chat with Business Leaders: Insights on BRE Projects {1.25 hr}

Penny Gennuso, Best Stop (Food Manufacturing)

Kevin Melton, Chennault International Airport (Aviation)

Moderated by: Mike Tarantino, Iberia Industrial Development Foundation

2:15PM-3:30PM                    Interactive Workshop: Mock BRE Visits {1.25 hr}

Gus Fontenot, SWLA Economic Development Alliance

3:30PM-4:00PM                    Course Evaluations and Closing Remarks