THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls Foundation received $17,500 from Koch Methanol St. James to create an endowed scholarship and invest in opportunities for small business owners to grow their business.
Koch Methanol St. James contributed $11,500 to create the Koch Methanol St. James Endowed Scholarship designed to benefit a freshman enrolled full-time at Nicholls, preferably from St. James High School or Lutcher High School. The recipient must maintain a 2.5 GPA and ideally be eligible for a Pell Grant. This scholarship will be awarded for eight consecutive semesters, provided all criteria are met.
The $500 scholarship will be awarded once per academic year with $250 dispersed in the spring and fall semesters. This award may be increased as the endowment grows. To learn more about donating to Nicholls, visit nichollsfoundation.org.
Lacey Crochet, chief innovation officer at Nicholls said, “Investing in education not only provides students with access to higher learning but also creates opportunities that can transform lives and empower future generations.”
To apply for scholarships at Nicholls, visit nicholls.edu/financial-aid/scholarships.
Bayou Region Incubator
In addition, Koch Methanol St. James contributed $6,000 to the Bayou Region Incubator to cover the cost of four St. James Parish small business memberships at the BRI for one year.
Plant Manager of Koch Methanol St. James Josh Wiggins said, “We are always looking for ways to help our community by investing in education and entrepreneurship programs. We hope our partnership with Nicholls State University and the Bayou Region Incubator will help support members of our local community and provide meaningful opportunities for them to achieve their full potential.”
The recipients will receive a Commons Membership, giving them 24/7 access to the BRI building which includes access to the meeting rooms, internet, a member resource portal, small business roundtables, complimentary workshops, unlimited business printing and an official business address for public listing and mail services.
“We are honored to have Koch as a sponsor for the small businesses developing in the Incubator. Koch has historically been an advocate for community voice, and this just extends that advocacy to investing in their community’s vision and economic development,” said Lisa Kliebert, executive director of the BRI.
The goal of the BRI is to catapult small businesses into the Bayou and River Region economies by assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs addressing Louisiana’s coastal crisis and strengthening the area’s economic vitality.
The BRI is set to host its 2025 Pitch Night on April 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. This business pitch competition features two rounds – Stage 1 for entrepreneurs in the idea phase of business development and Stage 2 for established businesses looking to expand. Each pitch contestant is given five minutes to deliver their pitch, three minutes to answer judges’ questions and two minutes to answer an audience member’s question. Tickets are available for purchase now.
For more information, visit bayouregionincubator.org.
Koch Methanol St. James, LLC
Koch Methanol St. James, LLC owns and operates a state-of-the-art facility located on 1,300 acres in St. James Parish. The world-scale facility has the potential to produce about 1.8 million metric tons per year of International Methanol Producers and Consumers Association (IMPCA)-quality methanol. The company is committed to running the facility safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.
Koch Methanol St. James is an active participant in the community, contributing time and talent to diverse organizations. The company believes that strong communities are good for business. Its core philosophy is anchored in the belief that for a business to survive and prosper, it must develop and use its capabilities to create sustainable value for both its customers and society.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 20, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Suire
Media Relations & Publications Coordinator,
985.448.4141 or payton.suire@nicholls.edu
