When State Treasurer John Schroder presented information about the Louisiana Mail Street Recovery Program at The Northshore Collaborative’s September meeting, the small business network recognized that the presentation needed a much larger platform to share information with small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer was quick to embrace a request to host a public forum in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium on Monday, October 5 at 10 am.

On September 29, the program reached its application cap, so at this time no further applications are being accepted. As a result, the upcoming forum will focus on small businesses already in the cue, with information as to what to expect throughout the application processing. The Louisiana Main Street Recovery Program administered $275 million in dedicated funding to aid small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The program has surpassed its goal of awarding at least $40 million of that funding to eligible minority, women, or veteran-owned applicants.

The Treasurer also will present information about a constitutional amendment that is on the Nov. 3 ballot to protect Unclaimed Property. The Louisiana Department of Treasury has more than $900 million in lost money for people and businesses across Louisiana. Unclaimed Property includes checking and savings accounts, unpaid wages, securities, life insurance payouts, uncashed checks and the proceeds of dormant safe deposit boxes.

Both the MSRP and Unclaimed Property programs are administered by the Louisiana Department of Treasury as overseen by Treasurer Schroder.

Also presented during the upcoming forum will be a brief State of the City update by Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer, who will share information as to the city’s position on sales tax, the impact of COVID-19 and moving forward during and beyond these challenging times.

The forum is free and open to the public, and proper social distancing protocols will be observed. Registration is available via the event post on the Northshore-Collaborative Facebook page or by email, Info@NSCollaborative.com.

The Northshore Collaborative was created by small business owners and non-profit administrators specifically to focus on, and address the special needs of, small businesses, non-profits and community organizations. Additional information about the organization is available on its website, www.NSCollaborative.com.

Additional information about the Louisiana Main Street Program is available at www.LouisianaMainStreet.Com.