The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), led by Carmen Sunda of Loyola University's College of Business, has gained national recognition during the past month for its work in responding to businesses impacted by the BP oil spill.
SBDC has been staffing 12 Business Recovery Centers in 6 parishes with the SBA disaster staff and since May 3rd has assisted over 1,000 businesses. These centers are providing valuable assistance to small business owners economically affected by the Deepwater BP Oil Spill.
SBDC business consultants are available to provide one-on-one guidance and support to small businesses engaged in shrimping, crabbing, oyster fishing, and other types of businesses. They have also made presentations at numerous town hall meetings at several outreach assistance events across the region. Sunda has coordinated support services with numerous agencies, parish and city governments, as well as national organizations.
Carmen Sunda was part of a panel discussion on May 18, 2010, at Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s Community Meeting to discuss resources and needs for businesses and workers impacted by the oil spill. Sunda also testified at a Senate hearing in Washington D.C. on May 27, 2010, at the request of Senator Mary Landrieu, on the assistance provided by the SBDC and the far reaching impact of the oil spill on small businesses in Louisiana.