Central Louisiana News

Rep. Julia Letlow and Rep. Chris Deluzio have introduced a new piece of legislation aimed at enhancing economic development in rural areas. The bill, titled the Growing Regional Entrepreneurship and Access To Economic Resilience (GREATER) Act, proposes a partnership between the Small Business Administration, the Delta Regional Authority, and the Appalachian Regional Commission. This collaboration intends to bolster support for small business owners in rural regions and promote entrepreneurship opportunities.

Rep. Letlow, whose district falls within the Delta Regional Authority’s area, emphasized the importance of small businesses in rural job creation. "Small businesses are the engines of job creation in our rural communities, and this bill would provide more support for skills training and job creation in Louisiana and places across the country," Letlow stated. She highlighted the shared economic challenges faced by diverse rural communities and the need for cooperative solutions.

In rural parts of the country, businesses often encounter obstacles such as limited access to capital, new markets, and persistent labor shortages. Deluzio, representing a district covered by the Appalachian Regional Commission, echoed the sentiment, stating, "America's small businesses are the economic and cultural centers of our communities." Deluzio expressed pride in presenting the bipartisan bill, aiming to foster collaboration among federal agencies to expand entrepreneurship support programs, including workplace training, for small business owners in the Appalachian and Delta regions.