Acadiana Propels Business
Significant marine operations ranging from ship building to offshore telecommunications in Acadiana take advantage of this South-Central Louisiana location, business-friendly climate, and location along the Gulf of Mexico.
Global Data Systems (GDS)
Global Data Systems (GDS) is an industry leader in providing communications, IT and security solutions to the maritime services industry, including oil/gas, transportation, and other maritime sectors for the past 10 years. GDS can bring voice and data to any rig, workboat or inland marine fleet to connect anyone, anything, anywhere, anytime.
Incat Crowther
Incat Crowther offers a diverse range of solutions for demanding applications, with an emphasis on efficiency, reliability, safety and practicality. They offer an experienced staff with a variety of skills and disciplines, and can offer an unparalleled range of services.
Metal Shark
Saronic Technologies
Saronic Technologies is an advanced defense and maritime technology company that designs and manufactures autonomous surface vessels — unmanned boats powered by artificial intelligence and advanced navigation systems for military and commercial use. The company’s $300 million expansion in 2025 is strengthening Acadiana’s advanced manufacturing base and creating over 1,500 new opportunities for skilled workers in one of the state’s most historic maritime communities.
Bold Incentives
Acadiana values its energy industry and aligns state and local resources to provide customized incentive packages for businesses looking to grow. A few standard incentives are outlined below. You can find a full list of available incentives here.
High Impact Jobs Program
Louisiana’s High-Impact Jobs Program (HIP) offers qualifying companies up to five years of reimbursable grants for the creation of new jobs that pay above the parish (county) average wage, based on the parish where the project is located.
Industrial Tax Exemption Program
The Louisiana Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) offers an 80% property tax abatement for up to 10 years on a manufacturer’s new investment.
To Learn More, Contact:
Megan Malmay Duhon
Director, Economic Development
Megan@OneAcadiana.org
337-408-3669
A Better Bottom Line
- No. 1: Innovation Programs and Initiatives – Entertainment Development Fund International Economic Development Council
- No. 1: Lowest Industrial Electricity Prices U.S. Energy Information Administration
- No. 2: Tech Talent Pipeline Business Facilities
- No. 2: Workforce Training Business Facilities
The Right Location is Waiting for You
The Acadiana Regional Airport alone includes a 125-acre Industrial Park, and over 1,200 acres of land available for development.
A Quality Workforce
A right-to-work state for more than three decades, Louisiana ranks in the Top 10 for lowest rates of private workforce unionization. It is also home to LED FastStart, one of the nation’s top state workforce development programs, which creates customized workforce recruitment, screening, and training solutions. With a growing labor force of nearly 318,000 in the region, competitive wages, and a strong education pipeline, Acadiana’s workforce is waiting for you. A number of Louisiana universities have specific programs and research strengths related to the manufacturing industry and graduate new engineers each semester.
Louisiana State University Eunice
Located in a rich and fertile section of Acadiana known as the “tri-parish area”, LSU Eunice is a two-year university in the LSU system offering numerous transfer degree programs, technical certificates, and associate degrees. It is nationally recognized for its allied health programs, and its developmental education program, Pathways to Success.
South Louisiana Community College (SoLAcc)
SoLAcc offers technical diplomas, workforce training, high school dual enrollment and two-year degree programs. It maintains 9 campuses across the Acadiana region, and offers 35 areas of study via traditional, evening, and web-based courses. SoLAcc is focused on job placement, and maintains strong ties to local businesses who trust in the capabilities of its graduates.
SoLAcc provides training programs at the H & B Young Marine and Petroleum Safety Training Center in Morgan City. The Marine Operations program caters to new students, experienced tradesmen in need of refresher courses, and business with unique training needs for its workforce.
SOWELA Technical Community College
Southwest Louisiana (SOWELA) Technical Community College offers programs in fields such as criminal justice, industrial instrumentation technology, office systems technology, and process technology.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
UL Lafayette is designated by the Carnegie Foundation as a Tier 1 research university (R1), and it is among the top 10 universities in the U.S. for its percentage of R&D expenditures funded by business, according to the National Science Foundation. UL Lafayette’s College of Engineering is its largest undergraduate program boasting over 2,700 undergraduate students, 177 master’s students, and 41 PhD students representing 45 states and 25 countries. The college focuses on providing “hands-on” learning experiences with a strong emphasis on internship and cooperative learning experiences. Over 200 companies regularly recruit its Engineering and Technology graduates.
Access and Infrastructure
Acadiana is a prime location for your business. A logistical hub, the region is strategically located at the intersection of Interstates 10 and 49. It provides access to 38 interior states via the Mississippi River and countless international markets via the Gulf of Mexico. Within the Acadiana region alone are: TWO airports, TWO Class I rail systems, TWO Class III rail systems, FIVE coastal ports, and TWO inland ports.