The Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development Center on the McNeese State University campus has been renamed in recognition of a $1 million endowment from the Henning family.

The donation will be used to create a perpetual endowment, with the annual interest dedicated to support the Louisiana Small Business Development Center within the SEED Center.

The SEED Center first opened its doors in 2013, consolidating multiple economic development entities under one roof. It was established through a joint venture by McNeese State University, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, city of Lake Charles, and Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.

More than a decade later, the organization is thriving.

McNeese President Wade Rousse said in 2024, the SEED Center serviced over 500 clients, created more than $16 million in capital injection into the local economy and was instrumental in starting 38 new businesses.

“We can only imagine what this is going to look like in four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 years because of this generous donation from this generous family,” he said.

Rousse said the Henning family has a long history of entrepreneurship across Southwest Louisiana.

“The Henning family is so passionate about entrepreneurship and so thankful for entrepreneurship and come from a very long line of successful entrepreneurs going back to W.T. Henning,” he said. “We are so thankful for this donation and it means so much to our community.”

Brothers William “Dub” Henning Jr., John Henning and Tom Henning — W.T. Hennings’ grandsons — made the decision to fund the endowment.

“In 1928, our grandfather was a small general store owner in Sulphur,” Tom Henning said in reading a statement from his brother, Dub, who missed Monday’s dedication due to illness. “After South Central Bell said it was unprofitable, he ran a telephone circuit in the marshland area between Hackberry and Sulphur. From there, the Henning family has had many start-up success stories. We are proud to add our family’s name to the SEED Center in support of its mission of driving economic development. It’s a fitting tribute to our grandfather and the seeds of our entrepreneurship he planted in both our family and in our community.”

John Henning — though he jokingly said the center should be called the ‘Dub Hub’ after his brother — said the decision was an “incredible opportunity.”

“With new leadership both at McNeese and at the Alliance/Chamber we have a chance to reset, move forward and work as a team along with local government, local business and community leaders,” John Henning said. “For the Henning SEED Center to thrive we must come together, get involved, raise a team mindset and focus on winning. Let’s work together and build something that will flourish — like a seed. Let’s focus on what truly matters — creating an opportunity for Southwest Louisiana.”

Tom Henning said “businesses are crucial to the economy because they generate a significant portion of new jobs, drive innovation, contribute significantly to the local communities by keeping a large part of revenue within the local economy. This is what we need. We want small businesses. Hopefully, the business center will continue to touch lives of many more entrepreneurs who make that leap of faith to start their own business and be part of the American dream.”