About 

The metro New Orleans area, which includes St. Charles, is among the lowest in the nation in respect to overall business operating costs.

The region’s cost of living is less than other southern metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Nashville, Tampa and Miami. Labor costs on average are considerably lower than most metropolitan areas of comparable size. An office space lease cost in the New Orleans area is 16 percent below the national average and is among the lowest in the South. The average industrial building lease price (on a net basis) is only 68 percent of the average for southern metropolitan areas.

Labor and rental costs for operating a 200,000 square foot warehouse/distribution center are 12 percent lower than the national average. Combining these low labor and real estate costs with below national average costs for electricity and natural gas yields a significant advantage for profitable business investment.

Tax Incentives

• Industrial Tax Exemption

  Eligible manufacturers, creating or retaining jobs, can receive an 80 percent property tax exemption for up to ten years, (two five-year periods).  Capital investments used in the manufacturing process at a new, expanded, or renovated facility in the state may qualify for the property tax abatement.

• Louisiana Quality Jobs

  Eligible companies may receive a rebate of up to 6 percent of their new direct payroll for up to ten years and a rebate of state sales and use taxes on capital expenditures or a 1.5 percent refundable investment tax credit on the total capital investment, excluding tax exempted items.

• Enterprise Zone

  Provides either a one-time $3,500 or $1,000 tax credit for each net new permanent job created. In addition, companies receive refunds on state sales and use taxes on purchases of building construction materials, machinery and equipment or a 1.5 percent refundable investment tax credit on the total capital investment, excluding tax exempted items. The refund shall not exceed $100,000 per net new job.

• Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive

  Provides a 25 percent tax credit for qualified, in-state payroll and an 18 percent tax credit for qualified production expenditures. Applicants receive a refund of surplus tax credits. Applicants may opt for a rebate equal to 85 percent of the value earned. 

• Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit

  A transferable tax credit of up to 40 percent for qualified, in-state motion picture production expenditures, including labor. 

• Research and Development Tax Credit

  Provides a tax credit up to 30 percent to existing businesses with operating facilities in Louisiana to establish or continue research and development activities within the state.

• Technology Commercialization Tax Credit and Jobs Program

  Provides a 40 percent refundable tax credit for companies that invest in the commercialization of Louisiana technology and a 6 percent payroll rebate for the creation of new, direct jobs.

• Angel Investor Tax Credit

  Provides a 25 percent tax credit on investments by accredited investors who invest in businesses certified by Louisiana Economic Development as Louisiana Entrepreneurial Businesses (LEB). Investors of LEB’s located in a qualified Opportunity Zone can receive an enhanced tax credit of 35 percent.           

For more information visit www.opportunitylouisiana.com/business-incentives

Financial Incentives

• Industrial Revenue Bonds

  This program allows parishes, cities, port authorities, development boards and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority to issue up to $10 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to finance construction and equipping new or expanding manufacturing facilities.

• Revolving Loan Fund

  Small businesses may receive a loan up to $250,000 at 4 percent interest.

For more information visit www.scpdc.org or www.sba.gov.