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.

Incentives Management System (FastLane)

FastLane offers a secure online interface for companies seeking, applying for managing state-approved incentives through Louisiana Economic Development (LED). 

 FastLane - Incentive Management System | LED

Tax Exemptions and Incentives

• Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP)

  Provides 80% property tax abatement for up to 10 years on new manufacturing investments. The program is open to manufacturers new to Louisiana and is also available to existing manufacturers in Louisiana making new investments to existing facilities.
  ITEP - Property Tax Exemption | LED

• Restoration Tax Abatement

Receive up to a ten-year, 100% property tax abatement for renovations and improvements of existing structures located within economic development districts and Opportunity Zones. 

Restoration Tax Abatement - Property Tax Exemption | LED

• Federal Opportunity Zones

  Many properties in St. Charles Parish are within an Opportunity Zone. Capital Gains from private holdings, which are invested in Qualified Opportunity Funds that in turn invest in designated Opportunity Zones, can see significant tax benefits.

  Federal Opportunity Zones - Tax Incentive | LED

Workforce Development Support and Incentives

• High-Impact Jobs

Louisiana’s High-Impact Jobs Program (HIP) offers qualifying companies reimbursable grants for the creation of new jobs that pay above the parish (county) average wage.  Companies of all sizes can benefit from grants administered directly by Louisiana Economic Development (LED), with higher wages yielding higher grants.

High-Impact Jobs - Grant Reimbursement | LED

• LED FastStart

LED FastStart provides customized employee recruitment, screening, training development, and training delivery for eligible new or expanding companies. Based on a company’s immediate and long-term workforce needs, the FastStart team crafts unique programs that ensure high-quality, flexible workers are prepared on day one and beyond. 

LED FastStart - Workforce Development | LED

Capital Expenditure Incentives

• Research and Development Tax Credit 

The Research and Development Tax Credit encourages existing businesses with operating facilities in Louisiana to establish or continue research and development activities within the state by providing up to a 30% tax credit on qualified research expenditures incurred in Louisiana — with no cap and no minimum requirement.

Research and Development - Tax Credit | LED

• Angel Investor Tax Credit

Receive up to a 25% tax credit for investments in early stage, wealth-creating businesses that seek start-up and expansion capital. The incentive is available to Louisiana businesses that are primarily engaged in energy and process industries, logistics, aerospace and defense, agribusiness, professional services, life sciences, or technology.

Angel Investor Tax Credit - Tax Credit | LED

Entertainment, Film, and Digital Media Tax Credits

• Entertainment Job Creation Program

The Entertainment Job Creation Program provides a tax credit on annual W-2 wages to select entertainment companies creating well-paid jobs for LA residents.

Entertainment Job Creation Program - Tax Credit | LED

• Motion Picture Production Program

Provides motion picture productions up to a 40% tax credit on total qualified in-state production expenditures, including resident and non-resident labor.

Motion Picture Production Program - Tax Credit | LED

• Digital Interactive Media and Software Program

Louisiana offers the strongest incentive of this type in the nation. 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. 

Digital Interactive Media and Software - Tax Credit | LED

Regional Financing Programs

• Industrial Revenue Bonds

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

Industrial Revenue Bonds - Financing | LPFA

• Small Business Loans

Small businesses may receive a loan up to $500,000 in St. Charles Parish through the South-Central Planning and Development Commission (SCPDC). Loans are available to:

• Purchase, repair or modernize machinery or equipment
• Working capital for specifically defined purposes (inventory, insurance, etc.)
• Professional fees—legal, title search, title insurance, appraisal, accounting, etc.
• Purchase of Real Property
• Small scale construction or renovation (support structures, manufactured or metal buildings, docks, sheds. etc.)

Small Business Loan - Financing | SCPDC