SEED Center set for construction - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

SEED Center set for construction

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By Jason Belk - bio | email

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - A ceremony was held on Monday to mark the signing of the Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (SEED) Center.

It was an exciting step for McNeese State University and Southwest Louisiana.

"This will help the region focus on entrepreneurialship as part of our efforts to diversify our economy.  Having it involved with McNeese State University is very important because most incubators are tied to a community college or university," said George Swift, President/CEO for the SWLA Economic Development Alliance.

The new SEED Center will be approximately 50,000 square feet, and will feature a variety of offices, conference and classrooms, as well as facilities for developing businesses.

The wooded area behind the McNeese State Police Station and Smoothie King off Ryan Street is where the SEED Center will be located.

Those involved think the center will be an excellent bridge between the university and the community.

"We want to be engaged with the community. The community and the area are very important to us, and it will give our students a chance to be involved. We think we can contribute to the success of this SEED Center," said Dr. Robert Hebert, McNeese State's President.

Hebert also thinks new developments like the SEED Center will put McNeese in a great position heading into the future.

"I'm very near my retirement date, but I feel very good about these things. We're putting McNeese in a wonderful position to continue to grow," said Hebert.

With projects like the SEED Center, McNeese and Southwest Louisiana will certainly continue their growth.

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