Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce

Go check out the Natchitoches Young Professionals (NYP) page to see the photos from the 7th Annual Louisiana Young Professionals Conference!

Follow the NYP page today to stay updated on future events and meetings!

Thank you to the speakers who shared their insightful information with the attendees as well as the event sponsors Alliance Compressors, City Bank & Trust Company, Engage Federal Credit Union, Weyerhaeuser of Natchitoches, City of Natchitoches, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, and Exchange Bank.

The Natchitoches Parish Library is partnering with Dr. Sapkota, an Engineering Technology Professor at Northwestern State University, to offer a Computer Class on August 5th.

This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to build up basic computer skills.

Online registration for current students grades K-12 is now available for the 2024-2025 school year!

Read more information on the Natchitoches Parish School Board page.

Online registration for current students grades K-12 is now available for the 2024-2025 school year!

The Annual Student Information Update is designed to ensure that we have the most accurate and up-to-date information for each student. It covers essential details like contact information, emergency contacts, medical information, and more.

Completing the Annual Student Information Update is easy and ensures that we can provide the best possible support and communication throughout the school year.

To update your student’s information, please visit https://natchitoches.edgear.net/progress/. For more information on registration, please visit https://www.npsb.la/article/1680473.

Information on new student registration will be available next week!

We are bringing back featured posts!

Member businesses can fill out the form at NatchitochesChamber.com/Feature to be featured across our social media channels under one of the following hashtags:

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If you have any questions regarding the featured posts, email [email protected].

Demon Football Season Tickets are on sale!

Scan the QR in the bottom right corner of the Demon Football yard signs you see around Natchitoches to reserve your tickets. If you are interested in purchasing tickets now, visit nsudemons.com or call 318.357.4268.

Get ready to see these popping up all over town! 🔥

We’re 42 days away from our first game of the season >>>08.29.24 at Tulsa>09.07.24 vs. Prairie View A&M

🚀 Entrepreneurs, need a helping hand? 🚀

We know time and money are precious. If you're looking to grow your business without spending hours researching resources, we've got the perfect solution! Register for the LED Small Business Services Newsletter today.

📩 Get all the latest updates, resources, and programs that support business growth, straight to your inbox. No need to pause your busy day to hunt down opportunities – they've got you covered.

👉 Sign up now and stay ahead of the game! Register here: https://sign-up.opportunitylouisiana.gov/email-sign-up

This month's issue includes:
- Louisiana Economic Development’s System for Integrated Growth (SIG)® offers qualified Louisiana-based small businesses up to 34 hours of business assistance focused on strategic growth issues. For more info: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/strategic-research
- Pathway to Assist Veteran Entrepreneurs (PAVE) Boot Camp focuses on supporting veterans through their entrepreneurship journey. For more info: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/program/pathway-to-assist-veteran-entrepreneurs

Louisiana Economic Development

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Chamber Breakfast Club meeting this morning!

The meeting was productive as Chamber President/CEO Laura Lyles and Director of Economic and Community Development Brittany McCoy led the room through a discussion about current retail trends in Natchitoches Parish. We also had the opportunity to discuss some of the ways that businesses in Natchitoches can work together to fill in industry gaps and recapture lost capital.

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We would like to thank Parish Councilman Wayne Halm for attending. Thank you as well to our visionary sponsor Natchitoches Regional Medical Center for hosting. Lastly, thank you to our Swag Sponsor Engage Federal Credit Union and our Door Prize Sponsor Jena Choctaw Pines Casino.

Congratulations to all of our door prize winners and keep an eye on our page for upcoming information regarding the next Chamber Breakfast Club meeting in October.

NatchitochesJobs.com is a resource for both individuals looking for jobs in Natchitoches Parish as well as Chamber member businesses looking to advertise open job positions!

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If there is any Chamber member business looking to extend the reach of its job listings, visit NatchitochesJobs.com today and click the plus button to add a new listing to the website.

If there are any issues, or any assistance is needed, email [email protected].

Today is the day!

Join us now at the Louisiana Young Professionals Conference located at the Natchitoches Events Center!

Make sure to tag us and the Natchitoches Young Professionals pages in your photos!

Join the Louisiana APEX Accelerators for a valuable opportunity to bring government purchasing agencies together with ready, willing, and able local, small businesses!

Guests will be able to meet local agency buyers, sit and talk, ask direct questions, and learn about upcoming projects all under one roof.

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To register for the event, visit nwlaapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/696 today.

✨ Meet the Chamber Team! ✨

We're excited to share that our team is growing, thanks to the continuous support of the Natchitoches community!

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Pictured Back Row from Left to Right:

Brittany McCoy - Director of Economic and Community Development, dedicated to championing business and innovation in our community.

Aleshianna Cassey - Communication and Events Intern, enthusiastic to utilize her NSU education to bring fresh ideas to the table.

Morgan Green - Coordinator of Communication and Events, committed to connecting the community by keeping members informed and engaged.

Dustin Dauzat - Director of Programs and Events, specializes in creating unforgettable events and fostering growth through various Chamber initiatives.

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Pictured Front Row from Left to Right:

Laura Lyles - President/CEO, leading the Chamber of Natchitoches and the Economic Development Alliance (NEDA) to new heights with her visionary leadership and dedication to fostering growth in the Natchitoches community.

Marilyn Mullikin - Office Administrator, ensuring seamless coordination and smooth transitions between all team members' roles through efficient administrative support.

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To learn more about the Chamber, visit NatchitochesChamber.com today!

Join the Natchitoches Chamber Ambassadors!

Big changes happen when you get involved. Let's make a difference together!

Do you have a passion for giving back to your community? Looking for a rewarding experience that engages you with the heart of Natchitoches?

Our Chamber Ambassadors are the driving force behind our events. They are the smiling faces that greet you at Ribbon Cuttings and Open Houses, and the dedicated hands setting up for our Signature Events. We couldn’t do what we do without their support and commitment.

Join us and become a part of something bigger. This is a volunteer role, and our Ambassadors meet once a month at the Chamber office on the second Wednesday of the month.

If you would like more information or to sign up, you can visit here: https://www.natchitocheschamber.com/become-an-ambassador

Happy 4th of July!

On this day we celebrate and commemorate the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, establishing the United States of America. We honor and remember those who fought our freedom of today!

We encourage everyone to be safe and have a memorable holiday with your friends and family.

In honor of the holiday, our office will be closed today, July 4th.

The State of Education address has been postponed to a later date. Stay tuned for the new date and thank you for your understanding and continued support.

The June session of Leadership Natchitoches focused on Education & Workforce and we had the amazing opportunity to hear from an abundance of knowledgeable professionals.

Thursday, Dr. Greg Handel and Van Erikson spoke to the cohort in the President's Box at Turpin Stadium. Friday, we toured Bright Beginnings with Director Mrs. Jessica Berry, and then the Natchitoches Magnet School with Principal Stephonie French. After the tour, Early Childhood Coordinators, Jana Maggio and Frankie Ray Jackson, and Natchitoches Junior High Principal, Alexa Bernard-Conday, spoke, followed by a panel featuring Superintendent, Dr. Grant Eloi, Director of Federal Programs, Sarah Rachal, and Director of Student Services, Felicia Pinkney.

We had lunch at BPCC where we received a presentation and tour of the facility from Campus Administrator, Dr. Thorn LaCaze. We concluded the day with a session on workforce development led by Dean of College of Arts & Sciences, Fran Lemoine, and got a preview of the LSMSA/NSU Innovation Center from Coordinator of Online Education Initiatives, Stephanie Henson.

Looking for something fun to do in Natchitoches this month?

From cooking classes to the NSU Folk Festival there is something for everyone to enjoy!

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Check out the awesome events our Chamber members are hosting this month on our website event calendar NatchitochesChamber.com/Events or download the Go Natchitoches app for a full list of upcoming events in the area.

If you would like to see your event listed on the Go Natchitoches app or on our website event calendar, reach out to [email protected] with more information.

During the month of January, the A+ Coalition, an initiative of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, will be recognizing the Elite Scholars of Natchitoches Parish!

The A+ Coalition is proud to work alongside our members and partners to promote student performance and engage the business community. Together, we can cultivate growth and make Natchitoches Parish an even better place to live and work.

For Day 5, we are recognizing Lucas Broadway! Lucas is a senior at Natchitoches Central Highschool. He plans to attend Northwestern State University of Louisiana after graduation with a potential double major in Computer Information Systems and Math as well as a minor in Business. His career goal is to become an app developer and entrepreneur.

Lucas's fun fact is that he loves to write fictional mysteries. He was also on the Louisiana 4-H Smallbore Riffle Shooting Sports Team that win first place at nationals over the summer.

He would like to recognize his sixth grade math teacher, Ms. Zenda Owens, for making learning fun and caring for each and every student. Lucas said, "She made a point to see each of our individual strengths and worked hard to help each of us succeed."

Congrats, Lucas, we wish you all the best!

The Elite Scholar's scholarship recipient will be honored at the Best of Natchitoches Awards Luncheon on February 7th at the Natchitoches Event Center. To register for the event, visit NatchitochesChamber.com/BestofAwardsLuncheon today!

During the month of January, the A+ Coalition, an initiative of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, will be recognizing the Elite Scholars of Natchitoches Parish!

The A+ Coalition is proud to work alongside our members and partners to promote student performance and engage the business community. Together, we can cultivate growth and make Natchitoches Parish an even better place to live and work.

For Day 4, we are recognizing Meredith Black! Meredith is a senior at Natchitoches Central Highschool. After graduation she plans to attend university with the ultimate goal to become a published novelist and public speaker.

Meredith's fun fact is that she rescues stray cats in her free time!

She would like to recognize a teaching duo from Natchitoches Central, Mr. and Mrs. Clingon, as they uplifted her in a time of need and encouraged her to dream bigger, reach farther, and be mindful of others. Meredith said, "They showed me how to find love and community wherever you are."

Congrats, Meredith, we wish you all the best!

The Elite Scholar's scholarship recipient will be honored at the Best of Natchitoches Awards Luncheon on February 7th at the Natchitoches Event Center. To register for the event, visit NatchitochesChamber.com/BestofAwardsLuncheon today!

During the month of January, the A+ Coalition, an initiative of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, will be recognizing the Elite Scholars of Natchitoches Parish!

The A+ Coalition is proud to work alongside our members and partners to promote student performance and engage the business community. Together, we can cultivate growth and make Natchitoches Parish an even better place to live and work.

For Day 3, we are recognizing Nathan Berthelot! Nathan is a senior at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA). After graduation, he plans to pursue engineering on multiple levels including mechanical, electrical, and eventually astronautical engineering as he is inspired to develop a deeper understanding of the world on a physical level and one day further expand the horizon of humanity beyond the stars.

Nathan's fun fact is his love for building things. Whenever he has the time, funds, and resources needed he can be found building something he finds interesting.

He would like to recognize the robotics club coach and engineering teacher from Brusly Highschool, Ms. Karen Gill, for working with him to make his dreams in engineering come true.

Congrats, Nathan, we wish you all the best!

The Elite Scholar's scholarship recipient will be honored at the Best of Natchitoches Awards Luncheon on February 7th at the Natchitoches Event Center. To register for the event, visit NatchitochesChamber.com/BestofAwardsLuncheon today!

Check out this post by the Natchitoches Lions Club detailing Laura's opportunity to discuss some of the Chamber's initiatives and upcoming events!

Laura Lyles, Director of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce spoke to the Natchitoches Lions Club about the plans and initiatives of the Chamber and how the Lions Club can best support those efforts. The Chamber, who have been in Natchitoches for 103 years, provides great newcomer information for both businesses and individuals moving to Natchitoches. Their annual community guide and resouce directory, Explore Natchitoches, will soon be available. Also coming up on February 7th is a Chamber Luncheon. This is an exciting event for the Chamber because they will be launching their new, redesigned and updated website. The website will showcase the pillars of the Chamber: Champion Business, Connect Community and Cultivate Growth. For more information about how the Chamber can help support your business visit Natchitoches chamber.com Director Laura Lyles, pictured center is joined with President Susan Hilton, left and Vice President Nicole Connell, right.