ALEXANDRIA – The Louisiana State University of Alexandria College of Business releases its November 2021 issue of the CENLA Economic Dashboard. “New business growth is evidence a strengthening economy,” says Dr. Randall Dupont, Dean of the LSUA College of Business.
Forty-eight new businesses were established in Rapides in October, a 46% increase over September and 37% higher than a year ago. So far this year, 450 new businesses have been established in Rapides compared to 349 for the first ten months of 2020, a 29% increase. Dupont says the interest in entrepreneurship is being seen statewide. Through last month, 85,563 of new business applications were filed in Louisiana compared to 70,927 for the same period in 2020 and 45,195 in 2019.
“Louisianians are resilient,” says Dupont. “When work wasn’t available last year, many started their own business and that trend has continued this year as the economy strengthened.” Dupont says the Entrepreneurship program in the LSUA College of Business will be offered through LSU Online in the Spring. “Offering it through LSU Online will enable the program to reach a regional and national audience,” says Dupont. The College of Business also plans to host its business startup initiative, LSUA Launchpad, again next year in conjunction with the City of Alexandria.
The CENLA Economic Dashboard is a service of the LSUA College of Business to help business and community leaders monitor the economic pulse of central Louisiana.
To view the latest CENLA Economic Dashboard, click here.