Louisiana on Business Facilities Online

LOUISIANA Fast Facts

• Population (2008): 4,410,796
• Largest Cities (2008): New Orleans, 311,853; Baton Rouge, 223,689; Shreveport, 199,729; Lafayette, 113,656;
   Lake Charles, 71,061
• Targeted Industries: Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, Agriculture/Forestry, Energy/Oil/Gas, IT
• Key Incentives: Quality Jobs Cash Rebate, Restoration Property Tax Abatement, Industrial Tax Exemption
• GDP (All Industry 2008): $222.2 billion*

*Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce

LOUISIANA State Incentives

The Small Business Loan Program provides loan guarantees or loan participation to banks for Louisiana small- and medium-sized businesses. Guarantees may be up to 75% depending on dollar amounts. Also provided is a loan participation of up to 40%. The maximum dollar amount for a guarantee or participation is $1.5 million. Applicants are required to have a business plan and a bank that is willing to consider the loan.

The Industrial Tax Exemption Program exempts new manufacturing facilities and expansion from state, parish, and local property taxes for up to 10 years. Initial exemption is for five years with an option for an additional five years. This program also includes exemptions for miscellaneous capital additions.

The Quality Jobs Program is available to companies engaged in manufacturing and basic industry, plus administrative and auxiliary services. Companies must offer a basic health benefit plan to new employees and pay at least 75% of the premium. A company must also offer health insurance to the dependents of employees, but 80% of the new jobs must average at least 30 work hours per week. Benefits include a rebate of 5% or 6% of the annual gross payroll for full-time new direct jobs created. There is a rebate of sales/use tax for capital investment, and there is a five-year contract with an option for a second five years.

Explore detailed community demographic information at ZoomProspector.com

Business Facilities Articles covering Louisiana

The New Incentives Guide

Green Giants

Editors' Location Picks

Louisiana's Business Lure

2009 Metro Rankings

2009 Business Facilities Rankings Report

Logistics Gets Lean, Mean and Green

Lousiana Lures Location from Wisconsin

$26-million Port Expansion in Louisiana

Supply Chain Priorities

Louisiana State Resources

STATE CONTACTS

UTILITIES

REGIONAL CONTACTS

COUNTY CONTACTS

CITY CONTACTS

Additional Listings