[StBernard] LRA Progress Report: June 9, 2006

[Westley Annis]

In this issue:

LED, LRA to Host Factory Building Systems Symposium
SBA Extends Disaster Loan Deadlines for Small Businesses
"Stay Healthy Louisiana" helps state residents prepare for disasters
Upcoming events of the Louisiana Recovery Authority

________________________________

LED, LRA to Host Factory Building Systems Symposium

Louisiana Economic Development, in partnership with the Louisiana Recovery Authority, is scheduled to host a business-to-business symposium for the home building industry on Monday, June 12 and Tuesday, June 13 at the Baton Rouge River Center. The Louisiana Factory Building Systems Symposium will bring together factory building systems companies, developers, architects, building materials suppliers and others engaged in the housing recovery efforts for hurricane-affected areas in south Louisiana. Factory building systems encompass modular construction, panelization and load-bearing frames, and all other automated factory-built housing components. 

*	To register, visit http://louisianabuildingsystems.com/ <http://louisianabuildingsystems.com/> 

SBA Extends Disaster Loan Deadlines for Small Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) is giving small business owners dealing with financial losses in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita more time to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan. The new deadline for small businesses in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina is June 28. Small businesses in the Hurricane Rita disaster areas have until July 26 to apply.

Small business owners in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida may apply for SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan to cover ordinary expenses the company would have been able to handle if the disaster hadn't occurred. The loan limit is $1.5 million, at a 4 percent interest rate with terms of up to 30 years. 

*	To apply, small businesses can visit SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster <http://www.sba.gov/disaster>  to download an application. They can also call the agency's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955, or send an email to disastercustomerservice at sba.gov <mailto:disastercustomerservice at sba.gov>  to obtain an application. 

"Stay Healthy Louisiana" helps state residents prepare for disasters

In order to help Louisiana residents take the "basic steps" toward emergency preparedness, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Public Health Institute have partnered to continue the Stay Healthy Louisiana campaign, which was launched immediately after Hurricane Katrina to provide Louisiana residents with easy access to critical public health information following the crisis

Stay Healthy Louisiana's Web site, www.stayhealthyla.org <http://www.stayhealthyla.org> , is now a hub of disaster readiness and recovery information that stresses "the power of preparation." Throughout the 2006 Hurricane Season, Stay Healthy Louisiana will distribute simple, easy-to-understand information and tips for di! saster readiness via the Web site, and a toll-free hotline (1-888-419-HEALTHY, or 1-888-419-4325). The Web site, www.stayhealthyla.org <http://www.stayhealthyla.org>  will offer free, downloadable versions of the Family Readiness Guide and the Stay Healthy Louisiana Hurricane Recovery Guide.

Upcoming events of the LRA:

Monday, June 12, 2006
Event: Economic & Workforce Development Task Force Meeting
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge, 660 N. 4th Street

Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Event: Infrastructure & Transportation Task Force Meeting
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Executive Conference Room, DOTD Headquarters, 1201 Capitol Access Rd.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Event: Audit Committee Meeting
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Oliver Pollock Room of the Galvez Conference Center, 602 North Fifth Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Thursday, June 15, 2006
Event: LRA Board of Directors meeting
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Baton Rouge Community College, Louisiana Building Boardroom

Thursday, June 22, 2006
Event: Human Services Task Force Meeting
Time: 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Governor's Press Room, 4th Floor of the State Capitol in Baton Rouge

Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Event: Environmental Task Force
Time: 1 - 3 p.m.
Location: Department of Environmental Quality Headquarters, Room 1051 of the Galvez Building

For a full list of upcoming LRA meetings and meetings agendas (as they become available), visit www.lra.louisiana.gov/events.html <http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/events.html> 


###