Louisiana Tax Incentives
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Louisiana Tax Incentives
Page Contents
- ARRA – Opportunities for Small Businesses
- Economic Development Award Program
- Enterprise Zone Program
- FastLane
- Good Work Network
- Gulf Opportunity Zone
- Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
- Louisiana Economic Development
- Louisiana FastStart
- Louisiana Incentive Snapshot
- Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
- Louisiana Tax Advantages
- Modernization Tax Credit
- NewCorp Business Assistance Center
- Quality Jobs
- Restoration Tax Abatement
- Small and Emerging Business Development Program
- Technology Commercialization Credit and Jobs Program
- Veteran Initiative
ARRA – Opportunities for Small Businesses
There are many opportunities for small businesses to benefit from federal stimulus funds received by Louisiana state agencies. ARRA – Opportunities for Small Businesses will provide information to companies that are interested in obtaining a contract to provide services or products to be funded by federal stimulus funds.
Economic Development Award Program
The purpose of the Economic Development Award Program is to assist publicly owned infrastructure for industrial or business development projects that promote targeted industry economic development and that require state assistance for basic infrastructure development. The goal of this program is to strengthen Louisiana’s infrastructure, while creating jobs in the state.
Using funds from this program, buildings and workplaces could be made ADA compliant. Also, the jobs created can go to qualified employees with disabilities who are capable of doing this type of work.
Economic Development Award Program Application and Information.
Enterprise Zones
The Enterprise Zone (EZ) is a jobs incentive program that provides Louisiana income and franchise tax credits to a business hiring at least 35% of net new jobs from one of four targeted groups.
EZs are areas with high unemployment, low income or a high percentage of residents receiving some form of public assistance. A business must create permanent net new jobs at the EZ site. A business is not required to be located in an EZ. A business does not have to invest money, only create additional jobs.
Very often, people with disabilities live in urban areas that are depressed and in need of revitalization. Hiring disabled individuals from these zones would reverse the unemployment trend among this population and give their neighborhoods a much needed lift.
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Enterprise Zone Application PDF
Fastlane
FastLane is the system that manages Louisiana’s business incentive programs that are approved by the Board of Commerce and Industry. The FastLane website is a secure online interface that allows users to electronically send data directly to Louisiana Economic Development's internal FastLane database. It is designed for individual users managing one company or consultants who manage multiple companies’ data.
Good Work Network
Good Work Network is the primary provider of business development services for the small community-based businesses that support families and sustain communities. Good Work Network educates, coaches and supports these smaller businesses to help them improve their skills, realize their full potential and become active participants in the local economy. Through its programs and services, Good Work Network works to expand the local economy by building minority and women owned businesses. It envisions a community where the economy is diverse and inclusive and where all dedicated and competent entrepreneurs have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Someone with a disability who wants to start a business can benefit from this organization’s many services.
Gulf Opportunity Zone
The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (GO Zone) provides federal and state tax incentives for business development in parishes most affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For application information, contact Louisiana Department of Treasury or Louisiana Economic Development.
Businesses can use this program as an incentive to hire employees with disabilities who live in these zones.
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI)
Formed over 30 years ago by business leaders, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is the largest and most effective lobbying group in Louisiana. LABI has unified the state’s business community into a strong, well-financed organization and is a proven force in Louisiana government.
Louisiana Economic Development
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state's business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy.
Louisiana Economic Development carries out these responsibilities by increasing the state's economic competitiveness, cultivating Louisiana's top regional economic development assets, enhancing the competitiveness of local communities, helping retain and expand existing businesses, developing national-caliber business recruitment capabilities, telling the story of Louisiana's economic renaissance and cultivating small business and entrepreneurship.
Louisiana FastStart
Louisiana FastStart™ provides customized recruitment, screening and training to new and expanding, eligible companies based on their immediate and long-terms workforce needs -- all at no cost. It is a program that has been recognized for its innovation, effectiveness and efficiency. The Louisiana FastStart team crafts unique programs that ensure workers are prepared on day one and beyond.
Workers with disabilities can be part of the workforce recruited and trained by this program.
Louisiana Incentives Snapshot
The Louisiana Incentives Snapshot is a list of Louisiana Business incentives, their benefits and their eligibility requirements. It also includes a section on small business incentives.
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
Vocational Rehabilitation, the flagship program of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, is a one-stop career development program that offers individuals with disabilities a wide range of services designed to provide them with the skills, resources, attitudes, and expectations needed to compete in the interview process, get and retain a job.
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation program wants to work with your business toward placement and retention of people with disabilities in the workforce. LRS’ VR program assists businesses in hiring, developing and keeping valued employees. We provide an array of services at no cost, which includes the following:
- Recruiting and prescreening job applicants
- On-site job trainer and support services
- Job restructuring and work site adjustments
- Accessibility survey of work site
- Assistive technology for job success, and
- Follow-up services
Employer Services information on business tax incentives and minimizing the cost of training employees is also offered.
Louisiana Tax Advantages
Louisiana Tax Advantages PDF is about the advantages of owning and operating a business in Louisiana.
Modernization Tax Credit
The Modernization Tax Credit program provides a 5% refundable state tax credit for manufacturers making capital investments to modernize or upgrade existing facilities in Louisiana.
Modernizing facilities or work sites so that they‘re ADA compliant will increase job opportunities for employees with disabilities.
Retention and Modernization Program Pre-Certification Applications are due 30 days prior to quarterly award dates for review. Pre-certification of credits will be announced on March 31, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31 of each calendar year.
NewCorp Business Assistance Center
NewCorp is a business assistance center with a mission to help physically challenged people and minority owned business to grow and prosper. NewCorp also assists corporations, banks, other financial institutions, universities, gaming casinos and governmental agencies achieve the goal of doing business with minority and women owned business. In this area, it provides the following:
- Database Maintenance / Retrieval
- Business Resource Information
- Bid & Contract Posting, and
- Business Event Collaboration
Quality Jobs
The Quality Jobs (QJ) program provides a cash rebate to companies that create well-paying jobs and promote economic development.
Some of these well-paying jobs can go to employees with disabilities who qualify for them.
Quality Jobs program applications and various other files.
Restoration Tax Abatement
The Restoration Tax Abatement (RTA) program provides five-year property tax abatement for the expansion, restoration, improvement and development of existing commercial structures and owner-occupied residences.
This abatement can serve as an incentive to businesses to make their commercial properties ADA compliant, which would increase employment opportunities for employees with disabilities.
Restoration Tax Abatement applications and information.
Small and Emerging Business Development Program
With a commitment to ongoing sustainable economic and human development, the Small and Emerging Business Development Program (SEBD) helps Louisiana's small businesses help themselves by assisting with entrepreneurial training, legal needs, marketing, computer skills and accounting. A business must be certified through the SEBD program to obtain these services.
With help from this program, entrepreneurs with disabilities can get the resources they need to start and grow their own businesses.
To apply for the Small and Emerging Business Development Program.
Small and Emerging Business Development Program fact sheet PDF
Technology Commercialization Credit and Jobs Program
The Technology Commercialization Credit and Jobs program provides credit for companies that invest in the commercialization of Louisiana technology and create new jobs.
Some of the new jobs created by this program can go to qualified employees with disabilities who have experience and knowledge in the field of technology.
Technology Commercialization Credit & Jobs Guidelines PDF.
Technology Commercialization Credit & Jobs Guidelines PDF.
Veteran Initiative – Small Entrepreneurship Certification Program
The Veteran Initiative is a program that encourages state agencies and contractors who receive state contracts to work with certified veteran-owned and disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
To apply for the Veteran Initiative
Veteran Initiative One-sheet PDF
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