Thibodaux and the Bayou Region – September 30, 2005 - A new business center has been established at the Louisiana Technical College, Thibodaux Campus to provide temporary work space for businesses displaced by the recent storms. The facility, known as the Business Transition Center (BTC) is a cooperative initiative between the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce, The Louisiana Technical College (LTC) and the South Louisiana Economic Council (SLEC). The center is available at no cost to the businesses who are in need of the space. Any business from any affected area is eligible to utilize the center. The BTC is located on the LTC campus at 1425 Tiger Drive, Thibodaux. Hours and times of operation for the BTC will be from Monday through Friday, 8 am until 5 pm beginning Monday, October 3. Services available at the BTC will include; desk space, computer access, high speed internet access, web-based e-mail service, copy services and fax services. Through donations from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Office Depot, businesses will also have access to office supplies at no cost as long as the supplies are available.

Space is limited to seven companies although companies may rotate in and out throughout the day to accommodate more companies than just seven. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Counselors from SLEC will also be staffing the BTC and are available to assist businesses in locating other services and resources beyond the temporary space provided.

For more information, contact Anthony Fontenot at SLEC at 985-448-4485 or 985-637-1029 or by e-mail at anthony.fontenot@nicholls.edu.Additional information is also available at www.businessrebuilding.org, at the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce at 985-446-1187 or at the Louisiana Technical College at 985-(985) 447-0924 The phone number for the Business Transition Center is 985-447-0816.