TechAssistLA

TechAssistLA helps small businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profits in the Katrina/Rita damaged zones of Louisiana utilize technology to expand their markets, streamline business processes, improve their networks, and learn standard business software.

TechAssistLA is a community project directed by the Louisiana Technology Council. The Louisiana Technology Council has over 300 member companies that represent a wide range of users and producers of technology.

Businesses needing technology assistance are matched with a Louisiana Technology Council member company that specializes in the area of technology that they need. From telephones to internet, web sites to accounting, security, disaster planning, system upgrades or expansion... help is here and it is free to qualified applicants.

Funding for TechAssistLA is provided by a grant from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grants, Louisiana Recovery Authority, and Louisiana Economic Development.

Area of Assistance

It is the goal of TechAssistLA to provide technology assistance in any technology area where any of its over 400 company members has skills and expertise. But to focus the effort, the following areas are targeted.

• Computer Based Accounting
• General Technology Consulting
• Hardware and Network Audit
• Hiring Skills
• Office Productivity Training
• Sales Training
• Software Audit
• Web Development
• Web Marketing

Additional details on each of these areas is available here.

Request Assistance

Businesses requesting assistance must meet the following criteria:

• Be Louisiana based.
• Be a small business less than 50 employees, a startup business with a business plan and ready to begin business in the next 90 days, or a non-profit organization established under Sections 501(c), 501(e), 501(f), 501(k), 501(n), or 521 of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
• Located in the Katrina/Rita damaged zones of the state.
• Have a defined vision about how technical assistance will help their enterprise.

Religious or political organizations are not eligible.

If you are interested in obtaining free technical assistance, please complete and submit the online form on this site. This form is here, or you can select the Request Assistance link below. Also, you can contact TechAssistLA and ask that an application be mailed to you.

Provide Assistance

To be a consultant for TechAssistLA you must meet the following criteria:

• Your company's Louisiana Technology Council membership must be current and "in good standing" (up-to-date on your company's LTC invoices) to enroll in the program and get on the notification list. Your membership must remain active and in good standing throughout your participation in the program.
• Be willing to provide excellent service, consulting or training to businesses in need.
• Agree to complete all required forms, reports and follow-up's.
• Have your own transportation.
• Represent your company, the LTC and TechAssistLA to the highest standards.

LTC members can indicate their interest and their areas of expertise by completing the online form. This form is here, or you can select the Provide Assistance link below.

Seminars and Training

From time to time, TechAssistLA will offer general technology seminars in such areas as disaster recovery planning, document management, and web-based marketing. These seminars will be open to the general public on a space-available basis. Training in specific topics such as computer-based accounting and office productivity tools also will be available for qualified attendees. As these seminars and courses are scheduled, they will be announced on this web site in the Seminars and Training area. You also can sign up to receive email notification of the courses, and you can suggest topics you would like to learn more about.

Terms and Conditions

All assistance provided by LTC members via TechAssistLA is subject to the terms and conditions described here.