Chamber, TEDA team up to aid businesses

Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce director Drake Pothier said the condition of businesses in Terrebonne runs the gamut.

“Some didn’t skip a beat,” Pothier said. “Some are struggling just to open doors. Others are somewhere in between.”

He said other businesses are scrambling to meet payroll.

Using the format of a Louisiana Economic Development document, the chamber, along with the South Central Industrial Association and the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority, is sending out an e-mail to its members asking for a damage assessment.

The e-mail is also asking what the needs of business are.

“We will help you find answers,” Pothier said.

He said many e-mails are being sent back because businesses are lacking electricity.

To that end, TEDA has been working to secure generators for businesses in southern Terrebonne, Pothier said.

Beginning Monday, he said, the chamber began hosting Small Business Administration representatives.

“This will help businesses tap into the services offered by the Small Business Administration,” Pothier said. “We’re trying to put business in touch with what’s offered.”

Louisiana Economic Development began asking for the assessments shortly after Gustav made landfall.

“It’s an attempt to quantify damages to the state’s top economic drivers, ones with 1,000 businesses,” said Katherine Gilbert, TEDA retention and expansion director. “To let local partners connect to local business.”

“This will let us get good assessments,” she said, “our capacity to get up to speed.”

Gilbert said though the questionnaires will not go out to every business, a high percentage of businesses will receive them, allowing TEDA to receive a good impression of the business community.

Gilbert said, “We’re addressing needs throughout the storm and after.”