Louisiana: Ramping Up Business In The Pelican State

Global commerce, a skilled workforce, and innovative investments have made Louisiana ready for the next wave of business.

Lafayette, Louisiana: A Hub of Innovation And Business Excellence

Located midway between Houston and New Orleans, Lafayette, Louisiana offers a pro-business climate, talent-producing universities, and a family-focused small-town feel, making Lafayette and the surrounding region a Gulf Coast hot spot for business and talent.

With its strategic location at the crossroads of Interstates 10 and 49, Lafayette has positioned itself as an ideal destination for businesses in the technology, manufacturing, and logistics sectors—paving the way for unprecedented growth and innovation.

The business base of Lafayette Parish (county) includes manufacturing; healthcare; oilfield services; logistics; information technology; and other service-related industries. Lafayette is home to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a Carnegie R1 designated research institution, and South Louisiana Community College (SLCC), an Aspen Top 150 community college.

Louisiana, Lafayette
Lafayette has become an up-and-coming hub for business and innovation in the state of Louisiana. (Credit: Safe Source Direct)

The resilience of Lafayette’s economy is attributed to its entrepreneurial spirit, strategic growth, and its people who embrace a strong work ethic. With this foundation, Lafayette fosters an economy that supports thriving and diverse industry sectors.

SafeSource Direct has brought PPE production back to the U.S. by locating on one of Lafayette’s seven Certified Sites.

These sites have undergone an extensive review process, which includes everything from environmental studies, soil analyses and surveys to zoning analysis and authenticity documentation. This due diligence ensures all aspects of the site meet compliance regulations—ultimately delivering a property primed for development. Building on a Certified Site allowed the company to launch operations in just 11 months, having now reached 900 employees.

Collaboration and innovation are paramount in Lafayette, as demonstrated by the partnership between global tech leader CGI and UL Lafayette. This partnership was crucial in securing CGI’s commitment to Lafayette. CGI and the university created a new degree program, collaborated on curriculum development, and launched the state’s first Master of Science degree in Informatics.

They also launched CGI’s Project Based Learning Program, an initiative that offers real-world learning experiences for UL Lafayette’s Computer Science and Informatics students. This partnership, along with SLCC’s 2+2 transfer agreement for Software Application Development, has helped CGI create more than 700 jobs at its U.S. Onshore Delivery Center in Lafayette.

Lafayette has attracted major players in the business world, including Amazon. The e-commerce giant has established a significant presence, leveraging the convenience offered by Lafayette’s connectivity to key transportation routes. Situated at the intersection of Interstates 10 and 49, Lafayette serves as a vital hub for distribution, enabling companies like Amazon to efficiently reach customers across the region.

Lafayette’s business-friendly environment extends beyond its workforce and infrastructure. The Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA) works with state and local partners to provide support to existing and prospective new businesses that are looking for a low-cost, high quality of life place to do business.

LEDA can offer competitive local incentives to complement state-level jobs and capital investment incentives. Qualifying companies looking to establish a presence in Lafayette can benefit from performance-based cash grants, Tax Increment Financing (TIFs), and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs), among other opportunities. These incentives further enhance the parish’s appeal and solidify Lafayette’s status as a prime destination for business growth.

Learn more about how LEDA and Lafayette meet the needs of business at www.looktolafayette.com.

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Capital Investment, Economic Development, Featured, Incentives, Taxes & Financing, Industry Clusters/Hubs, Infrastructure & Logistics, Life Sciences, Logistics/Warehouse/Distribution, Louisiana, Magazine, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Research & Development, State Focus, Technology

BF-July/August-2024, Biotechnology, Business Incentives, Capital Investment, Economic Development, Lafayette, louisiana, Louisiana Economic Development (LED), Louisiana Economic Development Partnership (LEDP), Manufacturing, Project Cypress, Site Selection, Southwest Louisiana

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