B&D PROPANE | Application Preview
B&D Propane LLC is applying for a government grant to expand its propane sales and service operations in Independence, Louisiana, and the surrounding Tangipahoa Parish. The funding would be used for essential business expenses, including propane tank refurbishing parts, bulk propane refills, building rentals, utilities, and tax preparation services.
The company's five-year business plan prioritizes market penetration, customer expansion, new product offerings, operational efficiency, geographic growth, sustainability initiatives, and potential mergers or acquisitions. B&D Propane has been in operation for two years and became profitable within its first 12 months, demonstrating strong demand in the local market. The business currently employs three people but aims to expand services and compete more effectively with additional funding.
B&D Propane faces competition from five other propane providers in the area, including hardware stores and national propane suppliers. However, the company differentiates itself by offering immediate onsite tank repairs and recertification, certified employees always available for refills, 7-day-a-week service, after-hours availability, and being a minority-owned business with fully owned equipment.
The company highlights population growth, increasing business demand, and its strategic location as reasons for expected revenue increases. The owner, Monroe Francois, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and emphasizes the broader economic and community benefits of the grant, appealing to the funders' mission of supporting small businesses.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 000008039
Location: INDEPENDENCE, LA, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: YES
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Funding Usage
-Parts for propane refurbishing including *New/used tanks *Tank valves (Fill valves, and relief valves) *Hose replacement/repair materials for forklift propane tank use *Building rentals, and utilities fees *Tax preparation services -Bulk tank refills from supplier required for small business operations
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Business Plan
Year 1: Focus on market penetration, expanding customer base through targeted marketing campaigns and building brand awareness. Year 2: Introduce new product lines or service features to cater to evolving customer needs, while further optimizing marketing efforts. Year 3: Invest in operational efficiency, expand into new geographic markets, and enhance customer retention strategies. Year 4: Continue market expansion, prioritize R&D for innovative product improvement, and strengthen partnerships. Year 5: Establish a strong market leadership position, focus on sustainability initiatives, and explore new growth avenues like mergers or acquisitions Dear potential investor, Thank you in advance for taking time review my letter for possible consideration for funding B&D Propane LLC. With your company’s funds, we would be able to expand our operation in Independance LA and provide services to Tangipahoa parish surrounding areas. We opened our original location 2 years ago, and we started turning a profit after only 12 months because of the propane needs within the local community. We are a 3-employee operation, but with additional funding we would be able to offer full time services to compete with our competitors in this parish. After doing a great deal of research on other propane businesses in the area, we are convinced that B&D Propane would bring in almost double that revenue, due to the future population growth, nearby businesses, and the proximity new growth in the Tangipahoa parish area. We know that US Grants takes pride in helping small business grow, and with your help expanding B&D would help turn our small business into the thriving local business in this area that we had always hoped for. Your investment would not only benefit a United States Air-Force veteran, but yourselves as investors, our also be supporting a minority owned business with great potential. Thank you for your consideration. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Sincerely, Monroe Francois Owner, B&D Propane LLC
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Self Identified Competition
Here are the top 5 competitors in our area: 1. Brandon's equipment sales-Offers propane sales and service in the Tangipahoa parish area, but more focused on outdoor equipment and trailer sales. 2. ACE Hardware- Offers propane sales and service in the Tangipahoa parish area; but more focused on hardware needs. 3. Amerigas Propane Offers propane sales and service in the Tangipahoa parish area 4. Lacox Propane- Offers propane sales and service in the Tangipahoa parish area 5. Gas & Supply-Offers propane sales and service in the Tangipahoa parish area Here are the main services that we offer that makes us different from our competitors. 1. Immediate onsite tank repairs and recertification 2. Employees onsite are all certified to refill propane tanks without having to wait until someone onsite can come out to provide service 3. Open 7 days a week (Not all competition in the area provide that service) 4. The business is located on our personal property, so we are able to offer after hours service. 5. Minority owned business, with equipment bought and owned outright.
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Contact Applicant
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