Louisiana

START YOUR LLC IN LOUISIANA

Region: Southeastern 

Capital City: Baton Rouge

State Governor: John Bel Edwards

Principal Cities: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport-Bossier City, Houma-Thibodaux, Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles

Why invest in Louisiana

Sector diversity: A stalwart for energy, diversified through advanced manufacturing, software development, information technology, agribusiness and entertainment.

Natural resources: Abundant natural gas, timber, salt and rare earth materials.

Workforce development: No. 1 nationally ranked training and recruitment program and sophisticated higher-ed partnerships are preparing tomorrow’s workforce today.

Modern innovation: Advances in life sciences, digital media, cutting-edge port technology and “America’s Rocket Factory.”

A commitment to sustainability: Today’s energy transition investments prepare for a brighter future.

Infrastructure advantages: Superior logistics powered by 7 commercial / 62 general aviation airports and 6 interstate highways, Class 1 railroads and deep draft ports providing a gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.

Foreign Direct Investment - Louisiana’s Economy

$ 7.3 billion
in foreign direct capital investment

Louisiana FDI in 2021

# 1
per capita and #4 overall in FDI over the past 10 years

Source: FDI Markets

3700 % +
new jobs from FDI in 2021
# 4
total exports by state by value

Source: USA Trade/US Census 2020

3 % of the top 5
international investors are based in Europe

United Kingdom: 24%, Germany: 10%, France: 7%

# 2
total exports by state by tonnage

Source: USA Trade/ US Census 2020

Starting a Business in Louisiana, a world-class State

Louisiana’s economy is global in its scope, scale and attractiveness to foreign investors. More than 560 companies, hailing from virtually every country in Europe and more than 55 nations total, are deploying record-breaking amounts of Foreign Direct Investment capital in Louisiana’s economy, driving the creation of new jobs, new industries and impressive, sustainable growth. Investments made in our state’s economy by non-U.S. companies demonstrate to the world that Louisiana is the place where global leaders begin, build and broaden their business success.

Louisiana is a leader in the U.S. not just in the amount of FDI deployed into our state’s economy, but also in our ability to leverage foreign investment to promote a diversified state economy positioned for sustained and long-term growth.

International companies added $7.3 billion in capital investment in Louisiana in 2021 alone, creating 3,700+ new jobs.

From 2003 to the present, more than 145 projects launched in Louisiana by international companies have generated over $42.9 billion dollars in FDI. Since 2008, Louisiana has attracted more FDI per capita than any other state in the nation.

Today, the economic activity generated by Louisiana’s more than 560 foreign companies contributes to more than 76,000 jobs for hard-working Louisianans across every region of the state. And the relationship between FDI and job creation continues to grow.

Since 2010, employment derived from Foreign Direct Investment in Louisiana’s economy has grown more than 20 percent. International companies that are investing and building a shared future with our citizens represent a diverse and dynamic array of business activity.

Manufacturing continues to provide the largest share of FDI in Louisiana’s economy, while also creating the largest amount of FDI-based employment, generating 20,000 jobs statewide. Other industries benefiting from a significant FDI boost include software and IT services, energy, business services, chemicals and industrial equipment manufacturers.

Louisiana has ranked as the first or second-largest per-capita recipients of FDI in the U.S. every year since 2008. We have done so by continuing to champion a broad range of policies – including tax incentives, enterprise zones and workforce training – while also developing technologies, such as SmartPort, that bolster the transportation and logistics capacity so critical to international trade.
So, what are you waiting for? Invest in Louisiana!

Spotlight on Starting a Business in Louisiana

Accelerating Success for Companies in the U. S. market

Our business climate combines an extensive collection of competitive advantages, from customized workforce training, to low business operating costs, to infrastructure, creating an ideal environment for starting an LLC in Louisiana.

Key Industries for economic Development in Louisiana

LED Office of international Commerce: Your Connection to Louisiana’s Advantages

The experienced staff of LED’s Office of International Commerce drives initiatives focused on attracting foreign direct investment to Louisiana, increasing trade volumes and expanding trade-related manufacturing activity.

2021 was an especially busy year, highlighted by:

  • Orchestrating a mission to the UK to participate in the United Nations COP26 forum on climate improvement, while also recruiting new investors to Louisiana.
  • Meetings with French diplomats, including Ambassador Philippe Etienne and Consul General Nathalie Beras. The delegation and Gov. Edwards discussed business, cultural and education issues between France and Louisiana.
  • Joining LED executives in exhibiting at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans. LED participated with economic development partners from across the ship-building regions of the state to promote Louisiana as a hub for shipbuilding. The event also provided opportunities to interact with existing Louisiana companies that were present.
  • Supporting FDI projects with special interest visas that are delivered to the respective U.S. embassies and consulates.
  • Working with economic development partners to organize and host the Americas Competitiveness Exchange program to build stronger ties with countries in the Americas to the U.S. The program will target 50 high-level decision makers and business executives to participate in a week-long “Louisiana immersion” program.
  • Securing $400,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to execute virtual site visits for international companies interested in starting a business in Louisiana.

LED’s Office of International Commerce also manages the STEP Grant, a program designed to help Louisiana small businesses generate new export revenue and create or retain jobs resulting from sales to foreign markets. The grants reimburse participating companies on a percentage of expenses, including allowable travel and trade-show costs, export training workshops and U.S. Commercial Service fees. For the programs that closed on Sept. 29, 2021, STEP assisted 94 small businesses with export training and/or individual grant awards.

STEP Grant recipients reported over $22 million in sales and 479 jobs created or retained as a result of STEP-supported activities. The combined utilization rate for the programs reached 99.77%, with LED having awarded or expended nearly $400 thousand in STEP Grant funds.

Contact Information for your LLC in Louisiana

Ms. Nadine Garfield
UK & Ireland Representative  

Louisiana Economic Development
c/o Wavteq Ltd.
Titanic Suites
55 – 59 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8FE
United Kingdom

Mr. Geert Hovens 
DACH Chief Representative

Patersstraat 35
5801 AT Venray
The Netherlands