Case Study
Business and Workforce Development Programs
Neighborhood businesses historically provided goods and services to the residents of Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR), a neighborhood located between the Louisiana State University campus and downtown Baton Rouge. Retaining the existing small businesses, helping them grow, and attracting diverse new businesses is a large component to successful neighborhood revitalization, as identified in the 2006 OSBR Strategic Plan. Skilled workforce training and business incubation is needed in the area. Almost 30% of the adult population in the community is without a high school diploma or GED, while 26% has at least a bachelor’s degree.
APPROACH
The OSBR Strategic Plan identified strategies and implementation steps to generate reinvestment in the area. Following these recommendations, CPEX has begun several key revitalization programs within the community, including the Home Rehabilitation Grant Program, the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program, the Computer Training Class and the Small Business Training Program.
IMPLEMENTATION
Small local businesses serve as engines for growth by providing employment opportunities, generating tax revenues, and serving as anchors for the community. The 131 businesses in OSBR are unquestionably strong community anchors, yet there is opportunity for these existing businesses to capture more of the sales dollar through business development and growth. The OSBR Training Programs, including the Computer Training Program and the Small Business Training Program, strive to improve the quality of life and economic situation of the community by facilitating the revitalization of the neighborhood retail corridors, and encouraging reinvestment by investors and developers. They will build economic health and assist neighborhood sustainability by providing training and knowledge for existing and potential business owners and workforce to gain operations efficiency and business retention.
Computer Training Class
In October of 2009, CPEX and the Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (CACRC) developed a pilot computer training class for low-income individuals in Old South Baton Rouge to own a computer while learning basic computer hardware skills. The program offered computer training for 15 qualifying individuals and was designed as a platform for participants to pursue further computer related jobs and education. The free ten-week course ran from October 3rd through December 5th, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm every Saturday at the EBR Carver Library Branch. Students received training in basic electronics, computer parts, software and basic computer maintenance. Upon completion of the course, students were allowed to keep the computers they had rebuilt. The program acted as a first step towards further computer certification, while graduates were also eligible for internships with the CACRC.
CACRC successfully completed the second round of the computer training class with 15 students in May of 2010.
Small Business Training Program
In September 2010, CPEX initiated the Small Business Training Program to provide training, support and capital to a group of individual small businesses located within one of the eight prioritized Project Development Areas. The revitalization initiative will function as an engine for growth by supporting the expansion of existing businesses and creating new businesses, new employment opportunities, and new tax revenues reestablishing the connection between the stakeholders, the land and the financial resources. The small business development program will serve existing small business owners, primarily within Old South Baton Rouge but also including Mid City and Scotlandville, some with little or no formal business training. Click here for more information on the Small Business Training Program.
OUTCOMES
- Two successful computer training programs have been completed in OSBR.
