MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Monroe was ranked third in a list of hidden gems for startups by the publication Marketwatch. Major factors considered for the list were regional clusters, economic diversity, and quality of life. The survey, given to 3000 business executives, also considered other factors.
Virendra Chhikara, or VC, director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Louisiana Monroe, has seen businesses start to appear in the area. He believes this is due to the criteria the center meets to help those getting off the ground.
“One thing Monroe is very vibrant in terms of helping small businesses. Ease of doing business is much better compared to other municipalities,” said Chhikara. “Mostly, businesses in Louisiana flourish easily, and they can connect with their city people very easily to get permits.”
The resources, like the SBDC and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, provide the needed …