Southern University leads new hub for rural Louisiana businesses with $1.27M federal award
By Diamond Butler | Published: Oct. 6, 2026 at 12:02 AM GMT+2 | Updated: 8 hours ago
Baton Rouge, La. (WAFB) - A $1.275 million federal award is positioning Southern University and A&M College as a key player in fostering growth for rural small businesses in Louisiana.
The three-year grant from the Minority Business Development Agency will establish the Louisiana Innovation for Thriving Rural Business Center (LIFT Center) at Southern's College of Business.
Southern is one of only three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) selected nationally to operate a Rural Business Center under the program, which focuses on small businesses in rural areas linked to manufacturing.
Goals:
- Provide business advice, loan preparation, and investment opportunities for rural Louisiana business owners.
- Help secure public-sector contracts and build skills in advanced manufacturing.
- Facilitate hands-on training in metal component production, repair, testing, and more.
The university will leverage resources from across campus, including the Law Center, College of Sciences and Engineering, and its Advanced Metal Additive Manufacturing Laboratory (AMAML).
By the end of the grant period, Southern aims to:
- Assist 500 clients
- Introduce 50 new firms into the federal supply chain
- Help unlock $2.125 million in capital
- Support 600 jobs
with a focus on sustainable growth beyond the grant's lifespan.
Business owners interested in learning more about LIFT Center services and eligibility criteria can contact Patrick Mensah at [email protected].