News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu summer 05 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 9/16/05   SOUTHEASTERN CENTER AIDING BUSINESSES WITH DISASTER LOAN APPLICATIONS, BUSINESS SERVICES          HAMMOND --  The Southeast Louisiana Business Center has activated a disaster assistance response plan designed to aid area individuals and firms needing temporary business services or assistance in completing applications for business disaster loans.         “Businesses in the declared disaster area that have suffered damage or loss of sales due to the hurricane may be eligible for federal disaster assistance through the Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program, also known as the FEMA Business Disaster Loan,” said William Joubert, director of the center which is operated by Southeastern Louisiana University.          “Our staff have been trained in filing disaster loan applications,” he added. “The loans are handled  in a very specific manner and we’re able to guide individuals through the application process.”         The free workshops will be conducted over the next several weeks throughout the north shore area. Admittance is on a first come, first served basis. For more information or to register, contact the business center at 985-549-3831 or by e-mail to sbdc@selu.edu.         The initial workshop schedule includes:         -- Tuesday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. – noon; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce, 608 Willis Ave. Bogalusa;         -- Wednesday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. – noon; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Fontainebleau Junior High School, 100 Bulldog Drive, Mandeville;         -- Thursday, Sept. 22, 9 a.m. – noon; Southeast Louisiana Business Center, 1514 Martens Drive, Hammond;         -- Friday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. – noon, St. Tammany Parish Library, Slidell Branch, 555 Robert Road, Slidell.         Participants should bring any available pertinent information regarding their businesses, including income tax returns, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, descriptions of damage and proof of insurance.         The center, located one-half mile west from the Southeastern campus at 1415 Martens Drive, was quickly reconfigured after Hurricane Katrina to provide space for a “virtual office” for displaced businesses.           “The virtual office is basically a place where business professionals can stop in and use computers, faxes, e-mail and Internet at no charge,” Joubert explained. “They can also use our address as a location from which to send and receive FedEx packages.”           The center also features some limited transitional office space for displaced businesses, providing these firms with a temporary location and shared services and facilities such as e-mail, Internet, faxes, copying and conference room meeting space.         The Southeast Louisiana Business Center opened two years ago as a one-stop shop to assist businesses looking to expand or relocate to the region. The center houses the Southeastern Small Business Development Center, the Southeastern Business Research Center and a number of regional economic development agencies.         For more information on center services, call 985-549-3831.