2-8-21
Acadiana Regional Broadband Initiative Survey

Today, the fight to bring reliable broadband to Acadiana's rural communities has become as important as the fight to bring other rural utilities. Broadband access was once considered a luxury, however, in a post-COVID economy access to the Internet is a critical lifeline to rural communities, the future of our economy, and an emerging fourth utility. Decisions that we make today about broadband expansion will determine which of Acadiana's communities will survive in the future.
In 2019, the Acadiana planning commission was awarded a grant though the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a baseline assessment of not only broadband access in the region but also to identify potential impediments to the expansion of broadband availability. The final result of the Acadiana Broadband Initiative will be a strategic plan for future broadband expansion for the region. To complete this initial assessment and plan, APC NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Acadiana Planning Commission Pilots COVID-19 Dashboard for Acadiana Region

The Acadiana Planning Commission announced the creation of the Acadiana COVID Dashboard. This Dashboard is an online tool which offers a simple way for any user to find information about COVID cases, testing, and vaccinations for the seven-parish Acadiana region.

The Acadiana COVID Dashboard provides information relating to:
  • COVID Counts for the State and by Parish for Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion Parishes.
  • COVID Test Center Calendar and list for the Acadiana Parishes.
  • COVID Find a Test Center map for the Acadiana Parishes.
  • Vaccine information and locations by Parish list and map.
  • OneAcadiana’s COVID Business Resources.
Your Chamber is partnering with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center to bring you this series of webinars in 2021, that are aimed to help you grow or start your business. Attendance is limited for these sessions so make sure to sign up ahead of time!

Upcoming trainings:

Tuesday, February 9th, 9AM-11AM
Starting and Financing A Small Business
Come join us and learn how to start a business! Do you have a business idea, you just started a small business, expanding their business, seeking a small business loan, or wanting to learn more about planning? This is for you!
Topics of discussion will include:
* Business Feasibility
* Business Planning
* Sources of funds for Start-up and Expansion
* Small Business Resources
* Required Licenses

Wednesday, February 10th, 10AM-12PM
5 Steps to Financing Success
Would you like to know how to increase the balance in your business checking account? This class will teach you five easy steps to get closer to achieving it. Because identifying and securing the financing you need to grow your business can be a scary and difficult task when you don't know what to do. A winning funding proposal can make a huge difference between getting "No" and getting a "Yes"! When you know what a lender or investor is looking for and the questions that they need answered, you will greatly improve your chances of obtaining funds that your business needs to start, grow and expand! In this seminar you will learn what you need and different types of funding options offered.

Friday, February 12th, 11AM-12PM
Small Biz Bites: What Do I Post Today?
Waking up in the morning and trying to figure out what to post can be a challenging and frustrating task. You have to engage your audience with interesting and relevant content to keep them connected to your brand. Join us for this Small Biz Bites seminar to learn why just having social media channels isn't enough and how a lack of content can actually damage your online reputation. Learn how to choose content that resonates with your brand and keeps people engaged.
Following registration you will be asked to continue your registration on Zoom. Click CONTINUE to complete your registration and receive your personal attendance link or you will not be able to enter the session.

There are many more workshop opportunities available than the ones listed here. To view a complete list of upcoming trainings, click here.
Deadline Extended: Nominations for Outstanding Civic Service and Business Impact Awards are Due March 1st

What is the Business Impact Award?
Every year the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce recognizes one or two companies for development (growth/expansion) and/or business diversification. The purpose of the 
Business Impact Award is to recognize and promote our community’s culture of innovation, entrepreneurialism, resiliency, and to celebrate business success in our community.

What is the Outstanding Civic Service Award?
Every year the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce (GICC) presents an “Outstanding Civic Service” Award to a member of our community who has shown exemplary service by volunteering their time and energy to Iberia Parish. We know there are many local residents who generously contribute their time to local civic projects, to our schools, to various charities and churches. The “Civic Service Award” is our way to honor and thank these very special people for their commitment to our community and to inspire others to make volunteering a part of their lives. 
Applications for LED's CEO Roundtables are open from Feb. 1 - Mar. 31, 2021.

The CEO Roundtable Program is an award-winning program designed to share information that small business executives need to reach the next level. Small business executives will hear from speakers in areas they are interested in, such as accounting, marketing, human resources, government resource providers, succession planning, and leadership development.