Louisiana: Training grants availble

Help is now available for local entrepreneurs to get the training they need to start their own businesses.

"Louisiana Economic Develop-ment, in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, has allocated $425,000 statewide for the Microenterprise Development Program," said Frank Fink, St. Mary Parish's director of economic development.

He said $47,000 of that total has been awarded to the Acadiana Regional Development District to provide training to families in St. Landry, Evangeline, Acadia, Vermilion, Iberia, St. Martin, Lafayette and St. Mary parishes to allow them to help start their own businesses.

To qualify, Fink said individuals must be the parent or qualified caregiver of a child with earned income levels at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level or must meet other "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families" guidelines.

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