LAPLACE — Five of the 14 small businesses eligible for the Hurricane Isaac Small Business Loan and Grant Program received their funding allocations during a check presentation Sept. 14 at the Percy Hebert Building.

Awards were granted to small businesses who completed the application process and were deemed eligible for assistance to fully recover from damages or losses suffered as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

Businesses who received funding include: Advanced Marketing & Promotions, LLC, Chatmon Construction, LLC, Down Home Creole Cookin, E&L Construction and J.E.S Construction, LLC.

“We are very pleased to make these check presentations today and encourage you to continue to grow and take advantage of all the small business programs we offer as a Parish,” Parish President Natalie Robottom said to the business owners.

In 2013, St. John Parish was awarded $32 million in grant funds through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program with a portion being used for grants/loans to business owners directly affected from Hurricane Isaac.

Through the program, funding was available as a 20 percent grant and 80 percent low interest loan to purchase equipment, inventory and/or to provide working capital associated with operations and recovery.

Wayne Vicknair with Advanced Marketing & Promotions commended all involved on a successful program, adding his company was fortunate to receive this funding from the Parish.

“Our belief is that if money like this is lent to local businesses, which in most cases spend that money locally, it will not only help our business succeed, but many others as well,” he said.

Michael Chatmon with Chatmon Construction said he was grateful for the opportunity and assistance provided to his business.

Additional allocations will be forthcoming in the upcoming weeks, parish officials said.