Incentives & Programs
Providing a pro-business environment is key to a region’s success. In Northeast Louisiana, there is a long tradition of investing in the community and its people. State and local governments understand the importance of a successful business because with that success, growth in the economy follows. Businesses are offered several incentives in Northeast Louisiana from taxes and employment education programs to aggressive public programs that invest in training and infrastructure. Northeast Louisiana is a place where businesses get more for their investment, whether they’re relocating or expanding.
Incentives
Louisiana FastStart™
Provides workforce recruitment, screening and training to new and expanding Louisiana companies at no cost. Visit page
Digital Media Incentive
Provides a 25% tax credit for qualified production expenditures in Louisiana and a 35% tax credit for Louisiana resident labor expenditures. Visit page
Economic Development Award Program
Provides funding for site and/or infrastructure improvements for projects creating new jobs. Visit page
Enterprise Zone
Provides a $2,500 tax credit for each certified net new job created; and either a 4% sales/use tax rebate on capital expenditures or income and franchise tax credits up to 1.5% of investment. Visit page
Gulf Opportunity Zone
Provides tax incentives for business development in parishes most affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, including 50% bonus depreciation and tax exempt bonds. Visit page
Industrial Tax Exemption
Provides property a 100% tax abatement for up to 10 years on materials used in new manufacturing. Visit page
Live Performance Tax Credit
Provides a tax credit up to 25% on qualified production or infrastructure development expenditures, with additional tax credits available for payroll and transportation expenditures. Visit page
Mentor-Protégé Tax Credit
Provides up to $50,000 in tax credits for Louisiana-based contractors who provide competitive technical assistance to protégé construction firms. Visit page
Modernization Tax Credit
Provides a 5% refundable state tax credit for manufacturers modernizing or upgrading existing facilities in Louisiana. Visit page
Motion Picture Industry Development Tax Credit
A transferable tax credit of 30% for qualified motion picture production expenditures and an additional 5% tax credit for Louisiana resident labor expenditures. Visit page
New Markets Tax Credit
Investors in qualified projects can obtain a federal income tax credit of 5% to 6% of the amount invested for each year the investment is held, for up to seven years. Visit page
Quality Jobs
Provides up to 6% rebate on annual payroll expenses for up to 10 years; and either a 4% sales/use tax rebate on capital expenditures or an investment tax credit equal to 1.5% of qualifying expenses. Visit page
Renewal Communities
Provides federal income tax credits to businesses investing in Renewal Communities, which are distressed areas in urban and rural communities that the federal government has targeted for development. Visit page
Research & Development Tax Credit
Provides a tax credit up to 40% to existing businesses with operating facilities in Louisiana to establish or continue research and development activities within the state. Visit page
Restoration Tax Abatement
Provides a five-year 100% property tax abatement for the rehabilitation of an existing structure. Visit page
Sound Recording Investor Tax Credit
Provides a 25% refundable tax credit for qualified production expenditures on state-certified sound recording projects. Visit page
Technology Commercialization Credit and Jobs Program
Provides a 40% refundable tax credit for companies that invest in the commercialization of Louisiana technology and a 6% payroll rebate for the creation new, direct jobs. Visit page
Programs
Bonding Assistance Program
Aids certified small and emerging businesses in reaching the bonding capacity required for specific projects. Visit page
Contract Loan Program
Provides a loan participation and guarantee to a bank for government contract loans. Visit page
Hudson Initiative
Provides small businesses with greater potential for access to state procurement and public contract opportunities. Visit page
Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute
The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute is a management training course designed to support the state’s growing construction industry. Visit page
Micro Loan Program
Provides loan guarantees and participations to banks for micro-business loans, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Visit page
Microenterprise Development Program
Provides self-employment training that gives entrepreneurs the competitive advantage they need to succeed. Visit page
Small and Emerging Business Development Program
Assists Louisiana’s small businesses with entrepreneurial training, legal needs, marketing, business planning, computer skills and accounting. Visit page
Small Business Loan Program
Provides loan guarantees and participations to banks in order to facilitate capital accessibility for businesses. Visit page
Veteran Initiative
Provides veteran-owned and service-oriented, disabled veteran-owned small businesses with greater access to state procurement and public contract opportunities. Visit page