
Ida Recovery Business Resources
WBIA is working with partners to keep you informed about available resources.
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GNO, Inc. for Super Region
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JEDCO.org for Jefferson Parish
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Jefferson Parish gov page
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Plaquemines Parish
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Orleans Parish
The list of participating hotels will be posted
on DisasterAssistance.gov, under the link Transitional Sheltering Assistance Program or you can get it by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585. For 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

Congratulations to our 2021 Scholars!
WBIA awards two $1,000 scholarships to students attending a college or trade school to help them advance their educational opportunities. The recipients were selected on the basis of their academic achievements, school involvement, community activities and the content of their applications.
Miss Savannah L Cheramie was awarded the Gunter Scholarship. Miss Cheramie is enrolled at University of Holy Cross. Her plan of study is X-ray Technician with a future in nursing.
WBIA Member affiliate:
LCMC/WJMC
Miss Kayla Tobin was awarded the Jean Schliem Scholarship. Miss Tobin is enrolled at University of Holy Cross. Her plan of study is nursing.
WBIA Member affiliate:
Ochsner Health System

Shop Local NOLA
There’s a SPEND LOCAL campaign going on. Do you have your free business listing? Do you have a few free yard signs?
Want to be in the SPEND LOCAL SPOTLIGHT? Click here for a chance to be featured! JEDCO is looking for businesses to highlight on the blog and social media channels.
Visit Shop Local Nola to learn more!
If yard signs aren’t your thing, we also have window decals! Both the yard signs and decals are available for contact-less pickup at JEDCO. Email kscram@jedco.org for additional details.
SHOP LOCAL NOLA includes locally owned stores, restaurants, services, and more in the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St Tammany, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and Tangipahoa.

WBIA wants every member to have the support they need to get back to work.
Dear WBIA Member,
We need to be aware of the challenges your business is having as a result of COVID-19. Some may not have been affected at all, while many are searching for ways to move through this hardship.
WBIA wants every member to have the support they need to get back to work. The business needs that are relevant to you will direct our future board and committee agendas. Let us do the work for you.
Please take a minute to respond to these 10 questions. Take this survey HERE
Thank you for your participation in our survey. Your input directs our efforts and energy to combat barriers while finding the services and information you need to build a successful business.
Sincerely,
WBIA Board

Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), March 2020
As the coronavirus evolves, GNO, Inc. is focusing on business continuity. We want to ensure that we make it through the coming weeks safeguarding economic, as well as physical, health.
With this in mind, this page is designed to provide useful resources and information to businesses and individuals in our region.

Session Wrap 2019, Regular Session Louisiana Legislature Was A Success!
House Legislative Services
Louisiana House of Representatives
June 10, 2019
• 2019 Regular Session
• Odd years are limited,“fiscal” sessions
• Legislators could file:
• Unlimited fiscal bills
• Unlimited local bills
• Only 5 general bills
• Session convened April 8
• Session adjourned June 6

GUNTER “SMART SKILLS” SCHOLARSHIP
WBIA recognizes the demand for skilled workers in the state of Louisiana. Past president and lifetime member, Lucien Gunter, worked endlessly toward the betterment of K-12 education. Part of that task meant keeping up with the demands of businesses; jobs that are in demand and how we prepare (our future employees) for those jobs. Career Tech can give every student a jump start into the area of interest they plan to move into. “Find what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”, was a common suggestion made by Gunter. Gunter had the ability to identify the needs and make the connections. We hope this scholarship gives a student an opportunity to advance his/her skills.

THE JEAN SCHLIEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
WBIA recognizes that education is THE KEY to a well-developed workforce. Our first Executive Director, Jean Schliem, understood that connection. It is because of her strong conviction and belief in education that this scholarship is in her honor. The Jean Schliem Scholarship Award is given to a student whose parent or guardian works for a member company of WBIA.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Jean Schliem scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $1,000 to the school/university/training facility on behalf of the student. Scholarship award must be used to assist with the cost of tuition, fees, books, tools, and/or other expenses connected to schooling/training.

WBIA Newsletter is Here!
AUGUST 2022
WBIA's quarterly newsletter "The Communique" will go out electronically to all members and posted here on our web page for your convenience. We encourage you to send us your ideas for future articles to share with the membership.
Articles Include:
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Page New calendar; New board 2
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Infrastructure 3-4
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August 18 Member Luncheon Risk Rating 2.0 5
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Workforce/Education 6
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September 1 Member Luncheon with Dr. Gray 7
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November 4 WBIA Golf Tournament 8
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New Members 9
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WBIA community events 10-11
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Economic Impact 12

Westbank Business Association supports education system
Jefferson Parish Public School System executive team accompanies Dr. Cade Brumley as he speaks at the Westbank Business and Industry Association's monthly Luncheon/General Membership meeting. Gabriel Misfeldt, Ted Beasley, LaDinah Carter, Lucy Lejeune, Germaine Gilson, Dr. James Gray and Mark Morgan, Jefferson Parish Public School Board president. (Rosalie Simmons)
One outstanding feature necessary for a thriving economy is a strong educational system. The Westbank Business and Industry Association has worked for over 70 years to support such a system. They have promoted legislation that continues to improve the quality of life for citizens throughout the region.

Session Wrap for the 2018 1st Extraordinary, Regular, 2nd Extraordinary, and 3rd Extraordinary Sessions of the Louisiana Legislature*
House Legislative Services
Louisiana House of Representatives
June 27, 2018
2018 Regular Session
•Convened March 4
•A “general” session; no matters involving state taxes or tax credits could be heard
•Adjourned May 18
Instruments filed
•1465 Bills
•901 House Bills
•564 Senate Bills

WBIA Scholarship Applications Now Available
Deadline is JULY 1, 2018
· Gunter Smart Skills Scholarship

2017 Regular and 2nd Extraordinary Sessions of the Louisiana Legislature
Topics: Appropriation Bills
•The General Appropriations Bill, HB 1, contains $28.2B for the ordinary operating expenditures of the executive branch for FY 2017-2018, a 6.2% increase over FY 2016-2017.
Solar Energy Tax Credit
Changes the amount of the credit for systems installed between January 2014 and July 2015, from 38% of the first $20,000 of the cost of purchase to 38% of the first $25,000 of the cost of purchase.

WBIA installs officers, honors exemplary members at May 18 ceremony
Charlie Frederick, president Westbank Business and Industry Association, First Legacy Award recipient, State Senator John A. Alario, Jr. and Wayne Crochet, DeAmore' Award recipient, celebrate at the installation and award event on May 18. (Rosalie Simmons)
The Westbank Business and Industry Association (WBIA) welcomed hundreds of business and industry leaders, hospital administrators, government and legislative officials, and others for its "Awards Celebration and Installation" ceremony on May 18.