Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 6/25/98
      Contact:                           Tim Ardillo

SLU SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER WINS NATIONAL
CERTIFICATION
     HAMMOND -- The Southeastern Louisiana University Small Business Development
Center (SLU SBDC) was awarded certification by the Association of Small Business
Development Centers (ASBDC), a national small business advocacy organization.
     The SLU SBDC is part of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC)
which is a state-wide network of 14 offices located at major universities.  According to Bill
Joubert, director of the SLU SBDC, the SBDC s throughout the state provide high-quality, in-
depth business counseling to potential and existing small businesses.
      In 1997, the SLU SBDC served 763 clients, provided 5,857 hours of assistance and
assisted with $3.8 million in loans.  Joubert said.  The center also provided 2,961 hours of
business training. 
     The ASBDC represents SBDC s located in all 50 states and three U.S. teritories,
including the District of Colunbia.  The LSBDC s are funded in part by the U.S. Small Business
Administration, Louisiana State Department of Economic Development and the local host
university.
     For more information, please contact Bill Joubert at 504-549-3831.
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