By Dalton Barron, SWLA Photo
LAKE CHARLES, La. – June 22, 2025– In a landmark move celebrating a legacy of business innovation and community building, the Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (SEED) Center on the McNeese State University campus has been officially renamed the Henning SEED Center. The honor comes in recognition of a substantial $1 million endowment from the Henning family, a name deeply embedded in the region’s economic fabric for nearly a century.
The new signage was unveiled at a reception on Monday, March 10, 2025, marking a new chapter for the institution dedicated to fostering local business growth. The generous donation will establish a perpetual endowment, with its annual interest aimed at bolstering the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at McNeese, a cornerstone of the SEED Center’s operations.
Since its inception in 1983, the SBDC at McNeese has been a vital catalyst for economic vitality in Southwest Louisiana, guiding aspiring and established entrepreneurs from the spark of an idea to the reality of a profitable enterprise. The impact of the SEED Center, which opened its doors in 2013 as a collaborative venture between McNeese, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the City of Lake Charles, and the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, is undeniable. In 2024 alone, the center assisted over 500 clients, facilitated more than $16 million in capital infusion into the local economy, and was instrumental in the launch of 38 new businesses.
McNeese State University President Wade Rousse lauded the Henning family’s contribution as a fitting tribute. “This addition of the Henning name to the SEED Center is an appropriate honor for this family who has played a prominent role in the Southwest Louisiana business community since the 1920s,” he stated. “The Henning SEED Center will continue to provide services that help small businesses in SWLA grow and thrive now and for generations to come.”
A Legacy of Pioneering Spirit
The Henning family’s story in Southwest Louisiana is one of resilience, foresight, and an unwavering entrepreneurial drive. Their roots in the region trace back to roughly 1875 with the arrival of Reverend John Henning. His son, John Thomas Henning, laid the commercial groundwork in Sulphur, establishing a boarding house and a transfer company that played a pivotal role in the early sulfur industry.
It was William T. Henning, however, who cemented the family’s legacy as business pioneers. In 1928, faced with a telecommunications void, he courageously forged a telephone line through the challenging marshlands between Hackberry and Sulphur, giving birth to the Cameron Telephone Company. This audacious venture was just the beginning.
The decision to fund the endowment was a collective one by W.T. Henning’s grandsons: William “Dub” Henning Jr., John Henning, and Tom Henning. Reading a statement from his brother Dub, Tom Henning recounted their grandfather’s arduous journey, emphasizing that “the challenges of starting a business are part of our family history.”
What This Means for SWLA
The Henning family’s investment is more than a monetary gift; it’s a profound statement of belief in the future of Southwest Louisiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. John Henning called the endowment an “incredible opportunity” and urged a renewed spirit of collaboration among regional leaders to “build something that will flourish — like a seed.”
Tom Henning highlighted the critical role of small businesses in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering innovation. He expressed his hope that the center would continue to inspire individuals to “make that leap of faith to start their own business and be part of the American dream.”
The Henning SEED Center stands as a comprehensive hub for economic development, housing key organizations such as the SWLA Alliance, the IMCAL Regional Planning Commission, and the Lake Area Industry Alliance. The recent relocation of McNeese State University’s executive offices to the center further solidifies the university’s commitment to being an active partner in the region’s prosperity.
For entrepreneurs in the five-parish area seeking guidance, the LSBDC at McNeese at the Henning SEED Center remains a ready resource. Business consultations and training can be accessed by calling 337-475-5529 or visiting their website at www.louisianasbdc.org/lsbdc-at-mcneese-state-university. With this historic endowment, the seeds of future success in Southwest Louisiana have been sown for generations to come.
About the Author: Dalton Barron is a local photographer and community journalist for SWLA Photo. He is dedicated to documenting the people, events, and economic developments that shape the Southwest Louisiana community he proudly calls home.