Key Industries

Louisiana’s Bayou Region is home to a vast assortment of business focused on energy and agricultural production and manufacturing. The region’s dedication to workforce development has assisted with the growth of the following key industries:

Food Manufactoring

The sugar cane industry is confined by the crop’s growing conditions and the logistics of transporting sugar cane. Mills that process the sugar cane into raw sugar must be located near cane plantations since cut sugar cane is too bulky and heavy to ship. Mills in this category process cane into crystals of raw sugar that can be transported in bulk, like grain, aboard ships or by land. For the fiscal 2000 harvest, cane sugar production reached a record 9.035 million short tons, thanks to increased output from Louisiana.

There are 1,586 total employees in the food manufacturing industry, with sales totaling $357,339,384.

Available Incentives

The Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program is a JOBS incentive program that provides Louisiana Income and Franchise tax credits to a business hiring a minimum number of net new employees

The Quality Jobs Program promotes economic development by encouraging businesses to create well-paid jobs.

The Industrial Tax Exemption Program is Louisiana’s original incentive program for capital investments.

Inter-Modal Industries

Louisiana is one of only two sites in the United States where all six of North America’s Class One railroads converge, providing great capacity and choice. Louisiana is also home to six interstate highways, all with access to water and rail connections. Finally, Louisiana’s public and commercial airports can accommodate the largest aircraft and are home to some of the world’s leading aerospace component manufacturers.

There are 2,449 employees in the transportation industry, with sales totaling $511,883,097.

Available Incentives

The Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program is a JOBS incentive program that provides Louisiana Income and Franchise tax credits to a business hiring a minimum number of net new employees

The Quality Jobs Program promotes economic development by encouraging businesses to create well-paid jobs.

The Industrial Tax Exemption Program is Louisiana’s original incentive program for capital investments.

Restoration Tax Abatement encourages the expansion, restoration, improvement and development of existing commercial structures and owner-occupied residences in specified districts.

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

Plastic Product Manufacturing

As one of Louisiana’s targeted growth industries, Advanced Materials is playing an increasingly important role in the state’s economy. In addition to the oil & gas industry and the petrochemical industry, Louisiana has long been a user of sophisticated advanced materials. Due to corrosion, high pressures, temperature extremes and harsh chemical environments, the right choice of advanced materials is essential to any given industry.

There are 60 employees in the Advanced Materials, with sales totaling $6,000,000.

Available Incentives

The Quality Jobs Program promotes economic development by encouraging businesses to create well-paid jobs.

The Industrial Tax Exemption Program is Louisiana’s original incentive program for capital investments.

Restoration Tax Abatement encourages the expansion, restoration, improvement and development of existing commercial structures and owner-occupied residences in specified districts.

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

Technology Commercialization Credit & Jobs Program is a tax credit awarded to companies for investing in commercialization of Louisiana technology and creating new jobs in Louisiana.

Metal Parts Manufacturing

Louisiana’s manufacturing strengths and strategic import/export location make it a logical site for shipbuilding activities and provide great infrastructure for the industry. Other segments of this industry include valve and pipe manufacturing, metal stamping, support activities for oil and gas operations, and all other machine shops.

The ship building and repairing category covers establishments primarily engaged in building and repairing ships, barges, and lighters, whether self-propelled or towed by other craft.

This industry also includes the conversion and alteration of ships, the manufacture of offshore oil and gas, well drilling and production platforms (whether or not self-propelled). Establishments primarily engaged in fabricating structural assemblies or components for ships, or subcontractors engaged in ship painting, joinery, carpentry work, and electrical wiring installation are classified in other industries. Boat building and repairing are excluded as they are in a separate category.

There are 5,540 employees in the metal product manufacturing industry, with sales totaling $1,584,992,764.

Available Incentives

The Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program is a JOBS incentive program that provides Louisiana Income and Franchise tax credits to a business hiring a minimum number of net new employees.

The Quality Jobs Program promotes economic development by encouraging businesses to create well-paid jobs.

The Industrial Tax Exemption Program is Louisiana’s original incentive program for capital investments.

Technology Commercialization Credit & Jobs Program is a tax credit awarded to companies for investing in commercialization of Louisiana technology and creating new jobs in Louisiana.