New Orleans City Hall sets free, weekly sessions for local founders

Entrepreneurs in New Orleans can access free, in-person guidance to start or expand their operations. The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development will host these Business Information Sessions to link founders with technical assistance and financial resources. The program is open to the public and requires no fee to attend.

The city established these services to act as a liaison between government agencies and business owners. The Business Services division coordinates these efforts to support a diverse economy and create good-paying jobs. It aims to provide equal access to economic prosperity for local stakeholders.

The office provides specific support to reduce administrative burdens for new ventures. Staff offer non-legal advice on business structuring and tax identification numbers. They also distribute literature and forms for filing trade names, trademarks, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations. Additionally, the team explains procedures for obtaining occupational licenses and work permits.

The city coordinates these sessions to connect owners with multiple departments and external partners. The program runs in four distinct series throughout the year. Each series consists of five consecutive weeks of meetings. One meeting takes place in each City Council district during that period.

The office maintains linkages with federal, state, and other city or parish agencies to relay reliable information. It also provides details on available tax incentives at the local, state, and federal levels. The city states that the success of local small businesses is key to strengthening the overall economy.