Author: Charles Sanchez

Live After Five Returns October 1

Posted on September 16, 2021January 19, 2022 by Charles Sanchez

The Downtown Business Association will launch the Live After Five concert series on October 1. The season that was scheduled to begin August 20 was postponed because of the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the Baton Rouge area, but the association has received support from the city-parish administration to revive the long-awaited free community event.

“We are excited to announce that Live After Five is finally back!” Gordy Rush, the association’s board president, stated.

The Downtown Business Association has produced the popular Live After Five free concert series for over 20 years with the support of the City of Baton Rouge and private sponsors and donors.

“We’re ready to bring back live music and community events, but we must do so safely,” Lauren Lambert-Tompkins, the association’s managing director, said. “We’re asking our attendees to practice personal responsibility. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are symptomatic, please do not come to Live After Five.”

In early 2021, the Downtown Business Association launched a social media campaign to “Socialize Responsibly,” encouraging Baton Rouge residents to get vaccinated and take appropriate COVID-19 safety precautions so that businesses would see a boost in the local economy after a drought of activity.

The event organizers are encouraging physical distancing during the concert, wearing masks when standing in vendor lines, and utilizing the hand sanitation centers that will be provided throughout the event footprint.

“This is a spacious outdoor concert,” said Lambert-Tompkins. “We’re confident that we can provide a safe and fun event that will support our local businesses and performers. So put on your dancing shoes, and we’ll see ya downtown!”

The concerts will be held at the Crest Stage in Rhorer Plaza, the city green space between Louisiana’s Old State Capitol and the River Center Branch Library, from 5:00-8:00 pm each evening with the following lineup:

October 1: Curley Taylor + Erica Falls
presented by Live After Five and the BR Blues Fest

October 8: Shaun Ward Xperience

October 15: After 8

October 22: Phat Hat

October 29: Werewolf
Halloween Costume Party!

November 5: The Mixed Nuts

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SBA Disaster Loans Available in EBR

Posted on September 2, 2021September 2, 2021 by Charles Sanchez

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Louisiana businesses in East Baton Rouge and a number of other parishes in South Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Ida.

Have an SBA Connect Login.gov account already? Apply now: https://secure.login.gov/?request_id=78313049-13a6-486f-a149-5937ab5de6a1

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.855 percent for businesses, 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.563 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

DBA Staffing Shortage Research

Posted on August 23, 2021September 2, 2021 by Charles Sanchez

The Downtown Business Association is collecting information for a new program to assist in staffing shortages in the service industry. Your input is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to send this poll to other managers and business owners in the industry.

Click this link to take the poll.

Live After Five is Postponed Until Further Notice

Posted on August 11, 2021August 11, 2021 by Charles Sanchez

Live After Five Fall 2021 Concert Series Postponed Due to Rapid Surge of COVID-19 Cases in Baton Rouge

The Downtown Business Association has postponed its Live After Five concert series that was scheduled to begin August 20 because of the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the Baton Rouge area and associated public health restrictions.

“We are disappointed that the start of our Fall 2021 concert series will be delayed, but we believe this is the most responsible and practical decision,” Gordy Rush, the association’s board president, stated. “We are optimistic that we will be able to launch the 2021 concert series once the current surge has subsided.”

The Downtown Business Association has produced the popular Live After Five free concert series for over 20 years with the support of the City of Baton Rouge and private sponsors and donors.

DBA typically produces both a spring and fall season of Live After Five each year, but there has not been a concert since 2019 due to the ongoing pandemic. In hopes that the release of the COVID-19 vaccine would lead to a decline in cases, the DBA adjusted the schedule to an ambitious 12-concert summer/fall season return.

“Community health and safety is our top priority.” Lauren Lambert-Tompkins, the association’s managing director said. “We are in regular contact with city-parish officials and monitoring conditions closely, and we will adjust the schedule as appropriate as new data comes in.”

In early 2021, the Downtown Business Association launched a social media campaign to “Socialize Responsibly,” encouraging Baton Rouge residents to take appropriate COVID-19 safety precautions so that events and businesses would receive a boost in the local economy after a drought of activity.

“We’re ready to bring back live music and community events, but we can’t until this pandemic is under control,” Lambert-Tompkins said. “We’re asking everyone in Baton Rouge to consider the effect this pandemic continues to have on our local musicians, business owners, non-profits, employees, residents and children. Do your part to stop the spread so we can get back to the city we love.”

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Author: Charles Sanchez