It has been over a year since the fateful day. Hearing the news of Big Mike's BBQ Smoke House going up in smoke in November 2009 left many BBQ lovers with an empty feeling and a question of when they would ever get to taste that fantastic food again. Well, they didn't have to wait very long. The owner-entrepreneurs, Mike and Judy Lewis, were back in business on the east side of Houma within a month's time.

In late May, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) named their 2011 Louisiana Small Business Award winners at an evening event honoring the small business leaders who make a significant impact and who exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of Louisiana. Mike Lewis joined twenty other business owners and leaders from around the state at the Governor's Mansion award ceremony. The Lewises are the recipients of the 2011 Louisiana Small and Emerging Business Development Special Recognition Award.

"We cannot emphasize enough what a vital role small businesses play in creating jobs and prosperity in the Louisiana economy, and these small business leaders are at the vanguard of making Louisiana a stronger, more competitive state," said LED Secretary Stephen Moret.  "We salute them for being visionaries and for being role models for us all."

TEDA has began assisting Mike and Judy with their planning and location search not long after the fire. Mike had a vision of how he wanted to mold and re-create the new facility. TEDA assisted him by helping to put that vision onto paper then assisted in locating financial opportunities to fulfill his plan. After over a year of tweaking and remodeling the plan, the dream was finally realized with a groundbreaking in late February. The new facility will be located between the Civic Stop gas station and The Courier building on Barrow Street. It will include over 2,400 square feet with 40-60 seats for in-house dining. Mike hopes to have the new facility open for business within six months.

Once its new location is operational, Big Mike's east side location, 9303 East Park Avenue at Prospect Boulevard, will remain open to serve the loyal customers who have become accustomed to the mouth-watering menu items.

After many months of planning and working with staff at both TEDA and The State of Louisiana, K & B announced it plans to move forward with its growth plans.

From: EQ, The Louisiana Economic Quarterly, Qtr. 1, (2011); pdf page 8 (document pp. 14-15).

In January 2011, K&B Machine Works announced plans to consolidate 11 buildings in its Houma, La., facility to one building at a new 35-acresite also in Houma. The company specializes in full-length threading, tubular accessories, welding and fabrication, manufacturing and customer inventory control and the new expansion will allow for a 40 percent increase in efficiency. The company plans to take advantage of the state's Quality Jobs and Modernization and Retention Programs."The pro-business environment that the state promotes through its incentive programs assures growth-minded companies, such as K&B Machine Works, that capital investments in the state of Louisiana are mutually beneficial to both parties." said Kenneth M. Wood Jr., President of K&B Machine Works LLC .

Click here to read the full article in EQ, The Louisiana Economic Quarterly