LSU's Mobile Classroom makes stop in Norco

Classes can help make businesses more successful post-Katrina

LSU’s innovative program serves the Hurricane Katrina impacted zones with a state of the art custom built mobile classroom.

Several business advisors have partnered in a unique project that hopes to help local businesses become more successful. The Louisiana Business and Technology Center, E. J. Ourso College of Business, LSU, the US Department of Agriculture and the Louisiana Municipal Association have partnered in this innovative project.

The experts are in St. Charles Parish this week. Business owners and future business owners in the area can sign up to speak with professionals about how they should proceed with their business recovery and development. The mobile classroom will be in Norco until Friday, February 17. Interested business owners and entrepreneurs will find them on the corner of River Road and Cathy Street. The program is free to the public.

“The mobile classroom was donated by a former LSU graduate who manufactures the mobile units in Texas. He called us shortly after Katrina and wanted to know if we were interested in one of the custom built mobile units, we said yes!” said Charles D’agostino, Director of the program. He went on to say “We had been planning to do this program for sometime. After Katrina devastated homes and businesses, we felt this service was needed now more than ever.”
The self-contained custom built mobile classroom unit has state of the art audio/visual capabilities and broadband wireless internet connectivity. The classroom area can seat up to 24 people in theater style with a large video screen and podium for speakers. The mobile classroom is set to visit 20 rural communities to conduct various programs including: leadership, development, small business workshops on a variety of topics, women/minority business forums, entrepreneurship training, business planning and marketing workshops, access to capital, and SBIR Program seminars.

The mobile classroom held an informational day on Tuesday, February 14 followed by several scheduled programs February 15-17. Some of the classes offered are Occupational Safety and Health Administration Compliance Assistance, Business Basics, Basics of Federal Contracting, Developing a Productive Workforce by Promoting a Favorable Work Environment, and Financing your Business.
To register email dduet@lsu.edu or call 985-783-5140 with questions or for a full schedule.