Optimum Business, the provider of advanced internet, mobile, TV, and phone services, and the Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Economic Development Alliance today announce the grant winners of the L.L.B Grants, which will directly fund 30 small businesses across five parishes in Southwest Louisiana.

If you received an email asking for you to fill out a PDF from noreplycustomerpre@idvisual7.com. Mark it as Spam. Don't open it or click on any links.

The Chamber SWLA was part of a collective of nearly 150 chambers across 36 states that implored the Department of Energy and the Biden Administration to reverse its recent decision to indefinitely ban new LNG export licenses. 

This initiative was spearheaded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and featured quotes from major Chamber leaders. “From Maine to California, chambers nationwide warned of the detrimental consequences the freeze will have on businesses, future investments, and global security.” - from a U.S. Chamber Press Release

On January 18, 2024, The Chamber SWLA hosted its 120th Annual Banquet at the Golden Nugget. 

This year’s title sponsor was Golden Nugget Casino Resort and its Presenting Sponsor was CITGO. 

The Annual Banquet marks the transition of Board leadership from last year’s Chair to the current year. 

2023 was an eventful year with still a lot of rebuilding and recovery for our region, and we were fortunate to have Jason Guillory of MQB CPA’s as our 2023 Chair.  

Golden Nugget donated $50,000 to the Chamber SWLA as part of their 2024 Title Sponsorship of the Chamber SWLA Banquet which was held on January 18 at the Golden Nugget. The Chamber SWLA banquet has been held at the Golden Nugget since 2015.  

“This year’s LegisGator of the Year was selected from our esteemed Congressional delegation. His district includes much of coastal Louisiana and he has been a champion for funding coastal restoration and protecting our fisheries.  He was a key figure in the most recent election for U.S. Speaker of the House, working to secure the necessary votes for the election of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. As a result, he landed a position as Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee on the powerful U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  In this role, he has secured funding for our state’s ports and airports making a huge economic impact on our state’s economy.  His positions on both the Transportation & Infrastructure and Natural Resources Committees serve as an opportunity to advance policy priorities that are important to South Louisiana – safe and efficient transportation, flood control, hurricane protection, maritime commerce, coastal restoration, ports development and energy production. He served as a key negotiator in recent budget deliberations, helping leadership secure the necessary votes to avoid a government shutdown.  He has always been a team player who works across the aisle and is not afraid to advocate for Louisiana’s great assets.”

Click here to see the slide deck from yesterday's State of Southwest Louisiana breakfast. 

The Chamber SWLA has joined the Clean BIZ Partnership, a new program created by Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) aimed at reducing and preventing litter, and is asking area businesses to share in the responsibility of addressing the state’s litter problem.