DBC Highlights

The DBC partnered with the Livingston Economic Development Council (LEDC) to provide jobs creation, business development and supervisory skills to the Center.

A new 25,000-sqare foot building to house new business and manufacturing industries was added to the existing 8,000-square feet of the DBC to accommodate manufacturers and distributors for office, manufacturing and warehouse space.

Over 300 jobs have been created and 40 businesses graduated in the nine year existence of the DBC. The 40 businesses have generated $11.6 million in annual sales and meet a combined payroll of $5.4 million.

The DBC responds to more than 150 inquiries requesting information and business assistance each year. Most inquiries come from the nine parish (county) greater Baton Rouge metropolitan area. A business is not required to be a tenant in the incubator to receive this assistance.

Louisiana's Secretary of Economic Development noted during a Louisiana Business Incubation Association meeting that such organizations play a vital role in job creation and the state's continuing economic development. It was also noted that business incubators located in south Louisiana create thousands of new jobs annually through both in-house and "out-reach" programs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Agency awarded the DBC a $60,000 grant for technical assistance and Demco a $850,000 grant to establish a revolving loan fund in partnership with local lending institutions.

A business delegation from Poland toured the DBC facility to learn more about American business methods, rural economic development, marketing, strategic planning, and the need for financing.

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) gave the final approval to a $400,000 grant that will allow the DBC to expand by 25,000 square feet.