Baton Rouge Office of Business Development Coordinator Stacie Williams told small businesses affected by Hurricane Gustav that funding possibilities in the form of two financial firms exist, on Thursday evening at the Scotlandville Library in Northeast Baton Rouge Thursday evening.

Northeast Baton Rouge is one area affected by a phenomenon seen across the United States in the 1970s, during which young professionals grew older and their children moved to the cheaper and more friendly-sounding suburbs, according to Gina Angelo, the state manager of business support and compliance for Accion.

Accion is one of the lending organizations given money to help businesses in the Northdale, Scotlandville, Zion City, the Choctaw Corridor and Melrose East areas of Baton Rouge.

Their funds go toward start-up businesses and those affected by Gustav, while the other organization, Seedco, will put up money for only existing businesses affected by Gustav.

Seedco requires that a business have $200,000 in revenue before they approve a loan, and the business must be located in one of the five areas highlighted by Gustav funds.

Accion only requires the business to exist one of the five areas.

Gwen Hamilton, assistant chief administrative officer for the mayor-president’s office, said Gustav and other natural disasters reveal the necessity of small businesses in a community.

“Small businesses are our backbone,” Hamilton said. “Our community did not have a strong backbone.”

Hamilton said the small business initiative has been part of the government program since Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden took office.

About fifteen Baton Rouge citizens attended to gather information for their small business ideas.

Baton Rouge retail worker Stephanie Rowan wants to open a piano studio.

Rowan graduated from Southern University with a degree in music performance, and already teaches piano lessons in her spare time.

Resident Corey Thomas said he’s always dreamed of opening a restaurant.

“I saw this in New Orleans, it’d be a place where everything would have to do with potatoes. It’s unique,” Thomas said.

Thomas is still researching the feasibility of his business plan.

Will Campbell, director of Southern University’s branch of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, was also present to promote assistance of citizens with business plans and financing.