The Business Incentives Of South Louisiana

Suited for Success

In South Louisiana, your success is our top priority. We work intimately with companies to highlight growth areas and unique business needs while compiling tailored program packages to help teams hit the ground running. Coupling these customized packages with the region’s wide range of incentives, our team works to align state and local resources to provide effective growth solutions for new businesses. If you’re looking for a competitive edge, you’ve found it.

Louisiana Business Incentives

LED Fast StartE
Enterprise ZoneE
Industrial Tax ExemptionE
Competitive Projects PayrollE
Digital media Tax CreditE
Motion Picture Tax CreditE
R&D Tax CreditE

LED FastStart

Ranked as the nation’s No. 1 workforce training program eight years running, LED FastStart provides customized talent recruitment, screening and workforce training solutions — all at no cost to eligible companies.

Recognized nationally for its innovation, effectiveness and flexibility, the program tailors solutions to meet a company’s immediate and long-term workforce needs. Each unique program package is crafted with a specific business in mind, ensuring trained professionals are prepared and ready for work on day one.

Enterprise Zone

Also known as the EZ Program, Enterprise Zone provides income and franchise tax credits to a new or existing Louisiana business. In order to qualify, business must create permanent, net new full-time jobs and hire at least 50% of those net new jobs from one of the state’s targeted groups.

Program benefits include:

  • Either a one-time $3,500 or $1,000 tax credit for each net new job
  • Rebate of state sales and use taxes paid on qualifying materials, machinery, furniture, and/or equipment purchased or a 1.5% refundable investment tax credit on the total capital investment, excluding tax exempted items—rebate shall not exceed $100,000 per net new job

Industrial Tax Exemption

The Louisiana Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) is an original state incentive program which offers an attractive tax incentive for manufacturers within the state. With local approval, the program provides up to a 80% property tax abatement for an initial term of up to five years and the option to renew for up to five additional years at up to 80% property tax abatement on a manufacturer’s qualifying capital investment related to the manufacturing process.

Competitive Projects Payroll

The Competitive Projects Payroll Incentive (CPPI) Program provides a rebate of up to 15% of a participating company’s new payroll for up to 10 years. Additionally, a participating company will be eligible for either a rebate of state sales and use taxes on capital expenditures or a 1.2% project facility expense rebate.

Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive

The refundable Digital Interactive Media and Software Development tax credit is the strongest of its kind in the nation. Using this, software development companies of all sizes gain a competitive edge with no cap or minimum requirement for entry.

The Tax credit can be applied to state income tax liability and the state will refund any overages OR applicants can opt for 85% of the value earned as a rebate any time during the year.

Incentive benefits include:

  • 25% tax credit on qualified payroll for in-state labor and 18% for qualified production expenditures—with no cap and no minimum requirement

Motion Picture Production Tax Credit

Louisiana’s Motion Picture Production Tax Credit provides up to a 40% tax credit on total qualified in-state motion picture production expenditures, including resident and non-resident labor.

Incentive benefits include:

  • Up to a 40% tax credit (25% base credit, 10% increase for Louisiana screenplay productions, 5% increase if outside of New Orleans MSA)
  • $50,000 minimum in-state expenditure requirement for Louisiana screenplay productions
  • $300,000 minimum in-state expenditure requirement on all other eligible productions

Research and Development Tax Credit

The Research and Development Tax Credit encourages existing businesses with operating facilities in Louisiana to establish or continue research and development activities within the state.

Incentive benefits include:

  • Provides up to a 30% tax credit on qualified research expenditures incurred in Louisiana — with no cap and no minimum requirement

Small Business Programs

Known for its resourceful entrepreneurial spirit, South Louisiana strives to find success for both its new and emerging businesses. Small businesses located in the region enjoy access to a special suite of programs designed to educate owners, increase managerial aptitude, and alleviate financial growing pains.

CEO RoundtablesE
Economic GardeningE
Hudson InitiativeE
SEBD ProgramE
Loan and Guaranty ProgramE
Motion Picture Tax CreditE
Veteran InitiativeE

CEO Roundtables

Occurring 10 times annually, Louisiana Economic Development’s CEO Roundtables bring together key decision makers from Louisiana small businesses for collaborative, growth-oriented discussions that allow CEOs to safely explore business issues under the guidance of experienced facilitators.

Roundtable benefits include:

  • The sharing of business experiences that allow participants to learn from each other’s achievements and mistakes
  • Support from qualified facilitators, guest speakers and various small business resources

Economic Gardening Initiative

The Economic Gardening Initiative provides Louisiana small businesses with the information they need to grow and succeed through accelerated technical assistance and research, an experienced economic gardening team will provide customized services tailored to your business needs.

Program benefits include:

  • A review of core strategies, including threats and opportunities, business strategy and niche markets
  • Business development opportunities through market research and qualified sales leads
  • Improved internet presence by increasing your company’s visibility and credibility within the market, and advice on how to best use technology to connect with customers

Hudson Initiative

The Hudson Initiative is a certification program that’s designed to help eligible Louisiana small businesses gain direct access to purchasing and contracting opportunities that are available at the State government level.

Business and contact information will be accessible to State purchasing officials and prime contractors looking for subcontractors. Additionally, State agencies are encouraged to get quotes from and use qualified, certified companies whenever possible.

  • For small purchases of less than $15,000, State agencies can waive the requirement of getting additional quotes if a certified company submits a quote that is reasonable
  • 10% of the total evaluation points can be added to your bid on a Request for Proposal (RFP)
  • Prime contractors who use your business as a subcontractor on a bid for an RFP are also eligible to receive additional percentage points on their bid

Small and Emerging Business Development Program

LED’s Small and Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Program provides the managerial and technical assistance training needed to grow and sustain a small business.

  • Provides for developmental assistance, including entrepreneurial training, marketing, computer skills, accounting, business planning, and legal and industry-specific assistance
  • Consideration for bidding on select products or services purchased by state agencies
  • SEBD Intermediaries provide a free needs assessment and assistance with accessing other program benefits

Small Business Loan and Guaranty Program

The Small Business Loan and Guaranty Program facilitates capital accessibility for small businesses by providing loan guarantees to banks and other small business lenders in association with the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).

The program’s purpose is to provide financial assistance, which helps with the development, expansion and retention of Louisiana’s small businesses. The program is administered by Louisiana Economic Development through Louisiana Economic Development Corporation (LEDC).

  • Guarantees may range up to 75% of the loan amount, not to exceed $1.5 million
  • Guarantee fee may be waived (determined by risk)
    • Loan Amount: $5,000 to $1.5 million
    • Maximum Guarantee: 75%
    • Minimum Equity Requirement: 15% to 20%
    • Application Fee: $0
    • Quick Turnaround for Loans: $500,000 or less

Motion Picture Production Tax Credit

Louisiana’s Motion Picture Production Tax Credit provides up to a 40% tax credit on total qualified in-state motion picture production expenditures, including resident and non-resident labor.

Incentive benefits include:

  • Up to a 40% tax credit (25% base credit, 10% increase for Louisiana screenplay productions, 5% increase if outside of New Orleans MSA)
  • $50,000 minimum in-state expenditure requirement for Louisiana screenplay productions
  • $300,000 minimum in-state expenditure requirement on all other eligible productions

Veteran Initiative

Louisiana’s Veteran Initiative (LAVETBIZ) is a certification program designed to help eligible Louisiana Veteran-owned and Service-Connected Disabled-Veteran-owned small businesses gain greater access to purchasing and contracting opportunities available at the state government level.

Your business and contact information will be accessible to state purchasing officials and prime contractors who are looking for subcontractors. State agencies are encouraged to get quotes from and use qualified, certified companies whenever possible.

  • For small purchases (less than $15,000), state agencies can waive the required additional quotes if a certified company submits a quote that is reasonable
  • 10% of the total evaluation points can be added to your bid on a Request for Proposal (RFP)
  • Prime contractors who use your business as a subcontractor on an RFP bid are also eligible to receive additional percentage points on their bid

In addition to the incentives listed above, Louisiana also offers several statewide programs and perks for new and growing businesses. To learn about all of the benefits available to your business, visit Louisiana Economic Development for more information.