Services
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.
Digital Media Incentive
Provides a 25% tax credit for qualified production expenditures in Louisiana and a 35% tax credit for Louisiana resident labor expenditures.
Economic Development Award Program
Provides funding for site and/or infrastructure improvements for projects creating new jobs.
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.
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.
Industrial Tax Exemption
Provides property a 100% tax abatement for up to 10 years on materials used in new manufacturing.
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.
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.
Modernization Tax Credit
Provides a 5% refundable state tax credit for manufacturers modernizing or upgrading existing facilities in Louisiana.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Restoration Tax Abatement
Provides a five-year 100% property tax abatement for the rehabilitation of an existing structure.
Sound Recording Investor Tax Credit
Provides a 25% refundable tax credit for qualified production expenditures on state-certified sound recording projects.
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.
Programs
Bonding Assistance Program
Aids certified small and emerging businesses in reaching the bonding capacity required for specific projects.
Contract Loan Program
Provides a loan participation and guarantee to a bank for government contract loans.
Hudson Initiative
Provides small businesses with greater potential for access to state procurement and public contract opportunities.
Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute
The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute is a management training course designed to support the state’s growing construction industry.
Micro Loan Program
Provides loan guarantees and participations to banks for micro-business loans, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000.
Microenterprise Development Program
Provides self-employment training that gives entrepreneurs the competitive advantage they need to succeed.
Small and Emerging Business Development Program
Assists Louisiana’s small businesses with entrepreneurial training, legal needs, marketing, business planning, computer skills and accounting.
Small Business Loan Program
Provides loan guarantees and participations to banks in order to facilitate capital accessibility for businesses.
Veteran Initiative
Provides veteran-owned and service-oriented, disabled veteran-owned small businesses with greater access to state procurement and public contract opportunities.
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Who we are
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance is a private, not-for-profit corporation utilizing local, state, federal and private resources and programs to enhance the available economic elements present in our region to promote and grow the regional resources leading to a vibrant economy.
What we do
We provide technical assistance, loan programs, technical communication, education, community enhancement, marketing and business retention to enhance our economy. We preside as the Coordinating Responsible Authority for the Northern and Central Renewal Communities representing the poorest areas of Louisiana.
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Case studies
NELEA was deeply involved in bringing the Conagra Foods plant to the Delhi, LA community.
Find out what we did & current news »
Media center
NELEA recently produced a video detailing the economic opportunities still available in Louisiana during the current economic conditions.
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Useful Links
Explore related websites that assist in providing information associated with the economic development efforts and progress in Northeast Louisiana.
Renewal Louisiana
Renewal Community information, facts, Q&A's, form links and much more about the Renewal Community Inititive in Louisiana.
Louisiana Community Progress
This site is a source for information about Northeast Louisiana and economic opportunities in the region.
