Rankings

LED FastStart #1 three years running

Business Facilities magazine named LED FastStart® the nation’s best state workforce training program – three years in a row. Called the “gold standard for workforce training solutions,” LED FastStart creates customized recruitment, screening and training solutions for eligible companies, all at no cost.

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Louisiana is No. 1 for digital media performance

Receiving a No. 1 rank in 2012 for digital media performance by Business Facilities magazine, Louisiana continues to thrive as a hotspot for digital opportunity. The ranking is further validated by the recent surge in business investment from digital companies like Gameloft, GE Capital and Electronic Arts – proof Louisiana is code for success.

Tops for economic growth + jobs

Outperforming the South and the nation as an emerging economic development leader, Louisiana lands a No. 1 ranking in 2012 for economic growth potential and No. 2 for job growth leaders by Business Facilities magazine. It’s yet another sign of Louisiana’s emergence as the most rapidly improving business climate in the country.

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Louisiana's business climate is No. 5

Continuing its impressive economic rise, Louisiana placed No. 5 in Business Facilities magazine’s Best Business Climate rankings in 2012 – up from its previous ranking of No. 7 in 2011. Today, the state stands at its highest-ever position in every major publication that ranks state business climates.

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No. 1 in nation for Export Growth

In 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce named Louisiana the No. 1 export state in the nation along with a No. 2 rank in income growth per capita. Driven by its national leadership in exports, a strong energy sector and investment in creating a diverse economic base, Louisiana is quickly becoming a national leader for international trade and growing business.

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No. 2 for Tax Competitiveness

In 2012, the Tax Foundation ranked Louisiana second in the U.S. for lowest tax burdens faced by new firms and tenth for mature firms. This low cost of doing business coupled with the state's low cost of living make Louisiana a magnet of economic opportunity.

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4th in growth rate of women-owned businesses

The number of women-owned businesses in Louisiana increased by 84 percent from 1997 to 2013, according to the American Express OPEN "State of Women-owned Business" report. Louisiana is now home to 129,800 women-owned businesses, ranking it 4th in the nation for growth.

Most improved state for business

Louisiana was named the "Most Improved State for Business" according to Pollina Corporate Real Estate in 2011, which stated, "Louisiana has shown astounding progress." The poll credits LED's Business Expansion and Retention Group, Modernization Tax Credit, LED FastStart® and aggressive marketing as reasons for Louisiana's 2010 improvement.

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Three-peat: no. 1 for jobs

In 2011, for the third straight year, Southern Business & Development magazine named Louisiana "State of the Year" in the South thanks to significant growth in national rankings and economic progress. Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lake Charles and Monroe also received individual honors.

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Lafayette named best for jobs

Lafayette grabbed the No. 1 spot among mid-sized cities in Forbes' 2011 Best Cities for Jobs rankings, based on recent midterm and long-term growth momentum.

No. 3 for independent filmmaking

Nicknamed "Hollywood South," New Orleans was named the third best city in the nation for independent filmmaking in 2011 by MovieMaker magazine.

1st in ethics

Louisiana rocketed to No. 1 for its financial disclosure laws - the most improved state in the nation - according to The Center for Public Integrity. Government ethics reforms made by Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature continue to gain positive national attention for the state.