Available Incentives

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Customized Incentives

If your company is looking to expand, relocate, or grow, Louisiana’s tax credits and incentive programs can give your company a competitive edge. Acadiana values its target industries, and will align state and local resources to provide custom incentive packages.

LED FASTSTART

The nation’s No. 1 workforce training program, FastStart creates customized employee recruiting, screening and training solutions — at no cost to eligible companies.

Recognized for its innovation, effectiveness, flexibility and efficiency, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) FastStart® is the nation’s best state workforce training program, according to Business Facilities magazine. FastStart provides customized employee recruitment, screening, training development and training delivery for eligible, new or expanding companies — all at no cost. Based on a company’s immediate and long-term workforce needs, the FastStart team crafts unique programs that ensure high-quality, flexible workers are prepared on day one and beyond.

The FastStart team includes dozens of experienced professionals from a range of businesses — manufacturing to corporate headquarters, digital media to customer support centers and R&D. FastStart has designed and delivered comprehensive workforce solutions for a wide variety of Fortune 500 companies, as well as high-tech companies funded by leading venture capital firms.

FastStart Experience Includes:

2D/3D Graphics Development
Curriculum Design
Instructional Design
Leadership Instruction
Organization Development
Photography
Project Management
Recruitment and Selection Tactics
Social Media Campaign Implementation
Technical Instruction
Videography
Web Design

ENTERPRISE ZONE TAX CREDIT

The Enterprise Zone, or EZ program, is a jobs incentive program that provides Louisiana Income and Franchise tax credits to a new or existing business located in Louisiana creating permanent net new full-time jobs and hiring at least 50% of those net new jobs from one of 4 targeted groups. The benefit provides:

A one-time $2,500 job tax credit for each net new job created

A 4% rebate of 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.

QUALITY JOBS

The Quality Jobs, or QJ, program provides a cash rebate to companies that create well-paid jobs and promote economic development.

The program provides up to a 6% cash rebate on 80% of gross payroll for new direct jobs for up to 10 years. Effective July 1, 2018, the rebate is available on 100% of gross annual payroll.

Provides a 4% sales/use rebate on capital expenditures or a 1.5% refundable investment tax credit on the total capital investment, excluding tax exempted items.

COMPETITIVE PROJECTS PAYROLL INCENTIVE PROGRAMS

The Competitive Projects Payroll Incentive (CPPI) is an incentive rebate of up to 15 percent 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 percent project facility expense rebate. Rebates vary by industry.

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. The program abates 80%, up to ten years, local property taxes (Ad Valorem) on a manufacturer’s new investment and annual capitalized additions related to the manufacturing site.

Special Programs for Small Businesses

CEO ROUNDTABLES

Louisiana Economic Development’s CEO Round-tables bring together groups of 15 to 18 key decision makers from Louisiana-based small businesses 10 times over the course of a year for collaborative, growth-oriented roundtable sessions that support a trusting environment in which CEO’s can safely explore business and personal issues with the guidance of experienced facilitators.

Participation in the roundtables provides access to numerous benefits, including:
- Peer-to-peer learning through discussion, interaction and the sharing of experiences that allow participants to learn from each other’s achievements and mistakes.
- Support through highly qualified facilitators, expert guest speakers and connection to various small business resources.

ECONOMIC GARDENING

Louisiana Economic Development’s Economic Gardening Initiative provides Louisiana-based 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, including:
- 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.

SMALL & 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.

HUDSON INITIATIVE

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

Your business and contact information will be accessible to State purchasing officials and prime contractors looking for subcontractors.
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 BUSINESS LOAN & 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 will help 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

VETERAN INITIATIVE

Louisiana’s Veteran Initiative (LAVETBIZ) is a certification program that is designed to help eligible Louisiana Veteran-owned and Service-Connected Disabled-Veteran-owned small businesses gain greater access to purchasing and contracting opportunities that are 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 a bid for an RFP are also eligible to receive additional percentage points on their bid.