INCENTIVES
Tif
Tax Increment Financing
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a financing tool for business expansions or new business development.
WHAT IS TAX INCREMENT FINANCING?
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a financing tool for capturing future tax benefits of real estate improvement in order to pay for the present cost of those improvements. Local government establishes a TIF district by establishing the geographic boundaries of the TIF District and levying a sales tax rate and/or room occupancy tax rate usually a few percentage points over the existing tax base. Minden has established four TIF Districts; an extra 2% sales tax is in place within each TIF District. This extra sales tax or room occupancy tax rate is called the increment.
A business approved to use the increment can finance a myriad of eligible real estate and infrastructure improvements on or near its property. In return for utilizing the TIF Incentive, the property owner/developer/tenant will be required to create and maintain a specific number of net new jobs (Minden Residents) for as long as the TIF incentive is being paid.
BENEFITS OF TIF INCENTIVE
If a property for sale is within the TIF District, the programs can serve as an incentive to a perspective buyer to move forward with the real estate purchase.
If an existing building is within the TIF District and there are plans to make improvements either to the building and/or land, the program can reimburse the cost of the improvements directly to the owner of the property.
If an existing commercial rental property is within the TIF District, the program can offer funding to a landlord to help retain an existing tenant of a property. Over the years existing leased property may become outdated or does not provide the degree of productivity that it once did. To retain a sales tax-generating tenant, the property owner could negotiate with its tenant as to the necessary improvements of leased space. The TIF program can reimburse the landlord or tenant for the cost of leasehold improvements.
HOW DOES THE TIF INCENTIVE WORK?
The TIF program is not a citywide program. One’s property has to be within a TIF District or Economic Development District in order to benefit from or be impacted by the TIF program.
A property owner seeking to make real estate improvements will submit a TIF application to the City of Minden with all the necessary supporting documents. After an analysis of the projected financial statements has been conducted to determine how much revenue increment is most likely to be generated by the project on a monthly basis over a period of years, the owner/developer and the City agree on the full amount to be reimbursed to the property owner over a specific period of years. A portion of the revenue increment generated by the project will be paid directly to the property owner on a monthly basis up to a specific number of years for a specific amount against previously agreed upon costs.
ELIGIBLE USES
Property Infrastructure Associated with New Investment
A. Street Construction and ExpansionB. Street LightingC. Parking Structures/LotsD. Curbs and SidewalksE. Bridge Construction RepairF. Transmission Lines
Building Structures
A. Structural Demolition
B. Internal and External Structural Renovations
C. Electrical and Plumbing Upgrades
D. Structural Environmental Mitigation
Site Preparation
A. Drainage Facilities (Storm Water Systems, Collection and Detention, Pumps,
Sanitary Sewers and Lines)
B. Utility Access and Expansion (water, electricity, gas/sewer lines)
C. Environmental Remediation
D. Structural Demolition
FEES
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $500.00 must accompany all TIF applications.
Annual Administrative Fee
An annual administrative fee of $500.00 will be charged to the project until the expiration of the incentive.
.Closing Fee
All recipients of a must pay a closing fee. Closing fees shall cover the cost of legal counsel and any consultative work, if any, to determine program eligibility and financial feasibility of the project in question. The cost of other incidentals in association with the Project’s application will be determined on a case-by basis.
Pilot
Payment in Lieu of Taxes
The PILOT program allows for-profit companies to reduce or ebate state and local sales taxes & use taxes and/or local ad valorem taxes over a period of years.
Payment-In-Leu-of-Taxes (PILOT)
WHAT IS A PILOT?
Payment-In-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) is an economic development incentive tool designed to assist with attracting, expanding and developing business enterprises targeted to contribute to Minden’s economic growth. The PILOT can enable a company to substantially reduce its tax burden for a period of years. Eligible companies can benefit from the PILOT by entering into an agreement with Industrial Development Board of the City of Minden (IDBM).
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
In order to benefit from the PILOT program, the subject property (which may consist of land and/or improvements) must be titled to the Industrial Development Board of the City of Minden (IDBM). Because the IDBM is a quasi-governmental entity, its properties are exempt from local ad valorem taxes and/or sales taxes. This frees up the Industrial Development Board to negotiate a contractual tax payment schedule with the affected company for a period years to ensure that public bodies that are entitled to receive ad valorem taxes or sales taxes generated from the project receive SOME financial benefit.
The project is then leased back to the private company by the IDBM. The payments made by the private company under the PILOT agreement are used to satisfy the company’s newly negotiated and reduced tax obligations. The PILOT agreement benefits both the private company and the tax recipient entities receiving payments under the PILOT agreement.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligible projects generally include those involving the acquisition, construction and/or
substantial renovation of facilities suitable for manufacturing, research and development,
and other industrial purposes. Certain commercial projects, office facilities, tourist destination businesses, hotels, restaurants and multi-family or housing developments shall be included.
Any development project that is under construction, other than preliminary site preparation, or utility work, is not eligible to apply for or to receive a PILOT.
To be eligible for a PILOT, an applicant must own the property or have an option or other right to the purchase property under consideration.
FEES
A non-refundable $1,000 application fee must accompany all PILOT applications submitted to the IDBM.
The PILOT beneficiary must pay the fees of all professionals, including special counsel to the IDBM and the City in connection with the negotiation and implementation of the PILOT. The cost of these items can be recouped by including them in the project’s cost.
Please complete the contact form below for additional information or to schedule an appointment with us.
Bonds
Private Activity Bonds
The Industrial Development Board of the City of Minden (IDBM) can issue bonds for a great variety of business investment projects.
Private Activity Bonds
(PABs)
WHAT ARE PABs?
A common form of corporate finance involves the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for private businesses, today referred to as Private Activity Bonds (PAB). Pursuant to Louisiana law, the Industrial Development Board of the City of Minden (IDB) can issue PABs for a greater variety of business investment projects than parishes or other municipalities. The IDB of the City of Minden can issue bonds for industrial, commercial, retail, and hotels. The bonds or PABs are issued by the Industrial Development Board to the investor or bank. The investor or bank buys the PABs based on terms agreed to by the company/borrower.
GENERAL INFO ON PABs
THE GENERAL STRUCTURE OF PABS/BONDS
The Benefit of PABS is to lower interest cost on borrowed funds for many years!
The Industrial Development Board of the City of Minden (IDBM) serves as a conduit between the company/ borrower and their investors or bankers. Before approaching the IDBM with a proposal to issue bonds, the private company seeking to finance a development generally arranges for a bank or other investor to purchase the bonds for their project and negotiate the terms of the financing. Actual preparation of bond documents cannot begin until the company and bond purchaser’s agreement on such terms and conditions are evidenced by a commitment letter or term sheet.
In connection with the bond issuance, the company will enter into a lease agreement, loan agreement or financing agreement with the IDBM whereby it is obligated to make payments to the IDB that match the principal and the interest due on the bonds. The bonds are then issued by the IDBM and sold to the company’s investors or bankers based solely on the company’s credit. A bond trustee is appointed by the IDBM to handle the collection of debt service payments from the company, payment of debt service to the bondholders, and enforcement of any covenants and/or remedies against the company.
PABs do not include any governmental guarantee or grant. The PABs or bonds are payable strictly from moneys provided by the company/borrower for which the bonds are issued and backed by collateral put up by the company. No public funds may be used to pay the PABs and neither the IDBM nor the City of Minden in any way guarantees payment of the bonds .
GENERAL GUIDELINES AND CONDITIONS
Eligible projects generally include those involving the acquisition, construction and/or substantial renovation of facilities suitable for manufacturing, warehousing, research and development and other industrial purposes. Certain commercial projects, office facilities and machinery and/or equipment may also be financed.
Bonds proceeds may not be used for working capital purposes.
Non commencement Rule: No expenditures or commitments for expenditures on the project, other than preliminary site preparation, or utility work, should be made prior to project approval by the IDBM.
Under federal law (specifically the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) the IDBM can issue tax-exempt bonds to finance certain projects, including:
Manufacturing facilities (with a $10 million size limitation and other limits on capital expenditures made in the same jurisdiction as the bond-financed project);
Facilities owned & operated by 501(c) (3) entities;
Qualified multi-family residential rental projects, i.e. apartment buildings or complexes where a portion of the units must be set aside for low/moderate income tenants, 20% or more of the units for individuals whose income is less than 50% of area median gross income.
Other “exempt activity” projects such as airports, dock & wharf facilities, solid waste disposal facilities (there are other categories, but these are the most common ones)
Exceptions: The IRS Code prohibits the use of tax-exempt bonds, for the following: any private or commercial golf course, country club, massage parlor, hot tub facility, suntan facility, racetrack or other facility used for gambling, or any store the principal business of which is the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption off premises
EMPLOYMENT
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination. No company receiving the benefits of an IDBM bond issue shall be engaged in employment practices that are contrary to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with its amendments.
If an employer who receives this incentive is deemed guilty of employment practices that violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its amendments by a U.S. court of jurisdiction, then the Incentive Agreement will be terminated immediately and the subject property will be conveyed back to the employer.
51% of the net new jobs created by the project and jobs retained thereafter must be held by Minden City residents or by individuals that will become City residents within the first 8 months of employment.
If qualified Minden-based job applicants cannot be identified for hire, other job applicants may be hired provided that they establish residency within Minden City limits within eight (8) months of being employed.
FEES
APPLICATION FEE
A non-refundable $500 application fee must accompany all Tax-Exempt Bond program applications submitted to the IDBM.
CLOSING FEE
Applicants for bonds issued through the IDBM must pay the costs and fees of all professionals, including bond counsel, special counsels to the IDBM in connection with the negotiation and implementation of the bonds, and other professionals needed in connection with the issuance of the bonds, such as financial analysts, trustee, underwriters, credit enhancement providers, rating agencies and their respective counsels, including the cost of any necessary feasibility reports. These costs will be estimated by the IDBM at the beginning of the bond approval process. The cost of these items can be recouped by including them in the project’s cost.
For each bond issue, the beneficiary must pay a closing fee. The closing fee must be sufficient enough to cover the cost of actual utilized services stated in the aforementioned paragraph.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION FEE
For the purpose of determining the annual administrative fee, project costs shall be determined on the basis of the “Total Budgeted Capital Cost“ for a project (including all expenditures that will be, or could be with a proper election, capitalized for federal income tax purposes). The proposed budget set forth in any application shall be deemed to be a certification by the applicant that the budget set forth therein is a reasonable estimate of all project costs.
An updated budget may be requested at the time of closing of the bond issue. An annual administrative fee equal to 1/20 of 1% of the Total Budgeted Capital Cost. The annual administrative fee is due annually thereafter until the bonds are fully discharged.
State
State Incentive Program
The City of Minden coordinates with state incentives. Be sure to come see the Minden Economic Development Department first.
The City of Minden and the State of Louisiana are in partnership to assist you with plans to relocate, expand, or start your business. Louisiana’s tax credits and incentive programs along with Minden’s local investment incentives can give your company a competitive edge.
Your first call should be to the Economic Development Department of the City of Minden and we will take it from there.
Workforce Development Training
The State of Louisiana’s “FastStart” program is a workforce solutions provider that works with businesses to anticipate and address the company’s workforce needs early in the startup or expansion process. The FastStart program is available at no cost. To qualify, a company must first commit to creating a net of at least 15 new, permanent jobs for manufacturing or distribution centers or a net of at least 50 new, permanent jobs for digital media, headquarters, R&D or inbound call center operations . Current employees can be involved if they are moving up in the company.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
The program provides up to a 6% cash rebate on 80% of gross payroll for new direct jobs for up to 10 years. Effective July 1, 2018, the rebate is available on 100% of gross annual payroll. The program provides a state sales/use rebate on capital expenditures or a 1.5% project facility expense rebate on the total capital investment, excluding tax exempted items. The Quality Jobs, or QJ, program provides a cash rebate to companies that create well-paid jobs, promote economic development and create a minimum of five new direct jobs
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
These jobs must be full time, (full-time employees — working 30 hours or greater per week)
Provide a basic health benefit plan/health insurance coverage
That which is required to be offered and/or provided shall include coverage for basic hospital care, coverage for physician care and coverage for health care which shall be the same as that provided to executive, administrative or professional employees
Coverage must become effective no later than the first day of the month 90 days after the date of hire
The employer’s contribution must have a value of at least one dollar and twenty-five cents per hour. If you are other than a self-insured company, the value of the plan is the actual cost for the individual coverage. If you are a self-insured company, LED will determine the value. Basic health care benefits do not include dental, vision or life.
MINIMUM WAGE AND HEALTH CARE REQUIREMENTS
The minimum wage requirement for new direct jobs is $14.50 per hour in wages and healthcare benefits
MINIMUM ANNUAL GROSS PAYROLL REQUIREMENTS
If an employer employs:
50 or fewer employees state-wide prior to the start date of the contract, the minimum annual payroll threshold for new direct jobs is $250,000
More than 50 employees statewide prior to the start date of the contract, the minimum annual payroll threshold for new direct jobs is $500,000
If the actual verified annual gross payroll for the employer’s third fiscal year does not show a minimum of five new direct jobs and does not equal or exceed a total annual payroll for new direct jobs of either $500,000 or $250,000, whichever is applicable, the employer will be determined to be ineligible.
The Enterprise Zone, or EZ program is a jobs incentive program that provides Louisiana income and franchise tax credits to a new or existing business located in Louisiana creating permanent net new full-time jobs, and hiring at least 50% of those net new jobs from one of four targeted groups.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Either a one-time $3,500 or $1,000 tax credit for each net new job created.
A rebate of state sales and use taxes paid on qualifying materials, machinery, furniture, and/or equipment purchased or a 1.5% refundable investment tax credit on the total capital investment, excluding tax exempted items. The rebate shall not exceed $100,000 per net new job.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY
This incentive program is open to Louisiana businesses (new or existing) that will:
Create a minimum of five permanent net new full-time jobs within 24 months of their project start date or increase their current nationwide workforce by 10% within the first 12 months.
Hire 50% of the net new jobs created from one or more of the certification requirements from these targeted groups
The Restoration Tax Abatement (RTA) program provides up to ten-year abatement of ad valorem property taxes on the renovations and improvements of existing commercial structures and owner-occupied residences.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Such projects are eligible for an initial five-year contract with an option for an additional five-year renewal with local governing authority approval.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Qualifying locations for properties include:
Downtown Development Districts
Historic Districts (includes properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places)
Economic Development Districts* *Different from Enterprise Zones and Economic Development Zones
Eligible expenses:
Building and materials
Machinery and equipment (only that which becomes an integral part of the structure)
Labor and engineering
Non-eligible expenses:
Acquisition cost of the structure or land
Movable and personal property
NOTE: Applicable only in downtown Minden, Louisiana
The Louisiana Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) is an original state incentive program which offers an attractive tax incentive for manufacturers within the state.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
The program abates local property taxes (Ad Valorem) on a manufacturer’s new investment and annual capitalized additions related to the manufacturing site up to 100% for an initial five years. Terms for renewal of the tax exemption may be included provided that the renewal may be for no more than 5 additional years up to 80% of Ad Valorem Tax Exemption.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
The program can be used by manufacturers new to Louisiana and is also available to existing manufacturers in Louisiana with new investments to existing facilities.
Submit your advance notification and pay online before you start construction, hire, and/or make purchases towards the project’s capital investment.
Manufacturers bringing raw materials into the state do not pay taxes on them if the goods are held on public property of a port, docks of the common carrier in which they entered the state, or held in public or private storage in their original containers or for raw materials or bulk. Tax exemptions are also allowed for items held for export outside the state and for goods that are in transit through the state interstate commerce, if the point of origin and final destination are both outside of Louisiana and the goods remain in original containers.
Louisiana’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development refundable tax credit the strongest of its kind in the nation is helping innovative digital media and software development companies of all sizes gain a competitive edge.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Provides a 25.2% tax credit on qualified payroll for in-state labor and 18% for qualified production expenses for expenditures through June 30, 2018, and a 35% tax credit on qualified payroll for in-state labor and 25% for qualified production expenses for expenditures on or after July 1, 2018.
No cap and no minimum requirement.
The tax credit is available for a refund of 100% of its value claimed on Louisiana state tax return OR certified applicants can receive 85% of the value earned as a rebate any time during the year.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
The incentive is open to all companies producing digital interactive media products or platforms in Louisiana. Certain exclusions apply, such as static internet websites or software primarily designed for internal use, which are non-qualifying. Only work physically performed in Louisiana and only direct development equipment purchased through Louisiana businesses qualifies for the incentive.
Qualifying development products include:
Digital Media and Games
Web-based and Mobile Applications
Consumer Software
Entertainment Software
Business and Enterprise Software
Interactive Devices and Consoles
Embedded Systems
LIVE PERFORMANCE PRODUCTION PROGRAM
Whether you’re launching a national concert tour or staging a new theatrical production, we’ll help you hit your mark. Louisiana offers a unique tax incentive for musical and theatrical productions and state certified higher education musical or theatrical infrastructure projects.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Provides a 7.2% tax credit for certified Louisiana expenditures between $100,000 and $300,000.
Provides a 14.4% tax credit for certified Louisiana expenditures between $300,000 and $1,000,000.
Provides an 18% tax credit for certified Louisiana expenditures over $1,000,000.
Provides an additional 7.2% tax credit for payroll expenditures to Louisiana residents.
No cap on production expenditures.
The tax credit is refundable or transferable on a one-time basis.
Additional tax credits are available when employing students enrolled in Louisiana.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Louisiana’s musical and theatrical production income tax credit program is open to concert, theatrical and other live productions that originate or debut in the State of Louisiana. The musical and theatrical production income tax credit for infrastructure projects is available to state certified higher education musical or theatrical infrastructure projects. There is a $100,000 minimum in-state expenditure requirement.
Qualifying productions include:
Pre-Broadway engagement or remounts
Tour or resident production remounts
Pre-Broadway tryouts
Resident or regional productions
National touring companies producing their first public performance in Louisiana
Concert tours producing their first public performance in Louisiana
Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit
The program is open to all motion picture production companies headquartered and domiciled in Louisiana for the purpose of producing nationally or internationally distributed motion pictures with total Louisiana expenditures exceeding $300,000, and $50,000 for local Louisiana productions meeting certain qualifications.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Louisiana’s Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit provides motion picture productions up to a 30% transferable tax credit on total qualified in-state production expenditures, including resident and non-resident labor. For productions using in-state labor, Louisiana offers an additional 10% payroll tax credit.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Qualifying productions include:
Feature-length motion pictures
Television pilots, series or movies of the week
Animated feature films
Animated short films
Webisodes or any other digitally distributed motion picture
Documentaries
Commercials
Non-qualifying productions include:
Televised news
Sporting events
Eligible Production Expenditures (for complete listing click on link below)
Producer fees for services performed in Louisiana
Rentals/purchases of tangible goods from a source within the state and directly used on a state-certified production in Louisiana
Camera rentals
Soundstage rental
Hotel
Small and Emerging Business Development Program (SEBD)
The SEBD Program provides the managerial and technical assistance training needed to grow and sustain a small business.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Provides for developmental assistance, including entrepreneurial training, marketing, computer skills, accounting, business planning, and legal and industry-specific assistance.
Consideration for bidding on select products or services purchased by state agencies.
SEBD Intermediaries provide a free needs assessment and assistance with accessing other program benefits.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
The program is open to all Louisiana small businesses that meet the following eligibility requirements for both the business and the business owner.
Small and Emerging Business Person
For the purposes of the program, a person who meets all criteria in this section is defined as a Small and Emerging Business Person.
Citizenship – The person is a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
Louisiana Residency – The person has been a Louisiana resident for at least one year.
Net Worth – At least 51 percent of the business is owned and controlled by persons who individually have a net worth of less than $400,000, excluding personal residence, business assets and retirement accounts.
Full-Time Employment – Managing owners who claim Small and Emerging Business Person status must be full-time employees of the applicant firm (20 or more hours per week).
Small and Emerging Business
For the purposes of the program, a business that meets all criteria in this section is defined as a Small and Emerging Business.
Ownership and Control – At least 51 percent of the company is owned and controlled by one or more Small and Emerging Business Persons.
Principal Place of Business – The firm’s principal place of business is Louisiana.
Lawful Function – The company has been organized for profit to perform a lawful, commercially useful function.
Business Net Worth – The business’ net worth does not exceed $1.5 million.
Job Creation – An applicant firm anticipates creating new full-time jobs.
The Gardening Initiative provides Louisiana-based small businesses with the information they need to grow and succeed.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Through accelerated technical assistance and research, an experienced economic gardening team will provide customized services tailored to your business needs including:
Review of core strategies, including threats and opportunities, business strategy and niche markets.
Business development opportunities through market research and qualified sales leads.
Improved internet presence by increasing your company’s visibility and credibility within the market, and advice on how to best use technology to connect with customers.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
In order to qualify for the Economic Gardening Initiative, a business must meet the criteria described below.
Principal Place of Business – The company must have maintained its principal place of business in Louisiana for at least the last two years.
Annual Revenue – The company must have annual revenue between $600,000 and $50,000,000.
Employees – The company must employ at least five but not more than 100 employees.
Growth – The company must demonstrate growth in annual revenue and/or jobs in two of the last five years.
External Markets – The company must deliver products or services to customers outside the company’s local market area or demonstrate the capacity to do so.
Target Industries – The company must be in a target industry such as manufacturing, finance and insurance services, administrative services and emerging industries, as identified by Louisiana Economic Development (retail stores and restaurants are specifically excluded).
Lawful Function – The company must be organized for profit to perform a lawful, commercially useful function.
Louisiana’s Hudson Initiative is a certification program that is designed to help eligible Louisiana small businesses gain greater access to purchasing and contracting opportunities that are available at the State government level. Business and contact information will be accessible to State purchasing officials and prime contractors looking for subcontractors
PROGRAM BENEFITS
For small purchases of less than $15,000, State agencies can waive the requirement of getting additional quotes if a certified company submits a quote that is reasonable
10% of the total evaluation points can be added to your bid on a Request for Proposal (RFP). Prime contractors who use your business as a subcontractor on a bid for an RFP are also eligible to receive additional percentage points on their bid.
Program Eligibility
Principal Place of Business – The company must have its principal place of business in Louisiana.
Employees – The company has fewer than 50 full-time employees.
Average Annual Gross Receipts – Average annual gross receipts do not exceed $5 million for non-construction and $10 million for construction companies.
Independently Owned and Operated – The business is independently owned and operated
Not Dominant – The business is not dominant in its professional field.
Louisiana Residency– Owned by persons domiciled in Louisiana.
Citizenship – Owned by and has officers who are U.S. citizens or legal residents.
Louisiana’s Veteran Initiative (LAVETBIZ) is a certification program that is designed to help eligible Louisiana Veteran-owned and Service-Connected Disabled-Veteran-owned small businesses gain greater access to purchasing and contracting opportunities that are available at the state government level.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Your business and contact information will be accessible to state purchasing officials and prime contractors who are looking for subcontractors.
State agencies are encouraged to get quotes from and use qualified, certified companies whenever possible.
For small purchases (less than $15,000), state agencies can waive the required additional quotes if a certified company submits a quote that is reasonable.
10% of the total evaluation points can be added to your bid on a Request for Proposal (RFP).
Prime contractors who use your business as a subcontractor on a bid for an RFP are also eligible to receive additional percentage points on their bid.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Veteran Ownership – At least 51% of the business must be owned by a veteran
Principal Place of Business – The company must have its principal place of business in Louisiana
Employees – The company must have fewer than 50 full-time employees
Average Annual Gross Receipts – Average annual gross receipts must not exceed $5 million for non-construction and $10 million for construction companies
Independently Owned and Operated – The business must be independently owned and operated
Not Dominant – The business must not be dominant in its professional field
Louisiana Residency – Must be owned by persons domiciled in Louisiana
Citizenship – Must be owned by and have officers who are U.S. citizens or legal residents
Service-Connected Disabled Veteran – This is an additional distinction and must meet all of the requirements above, as well as being at least 51% owned by a Service-Connected Disabled Veteran.
Louisiana Economic Development’s Bonding Assistance Program provides access to quality bid, payment and performance bonds at reasonable rates from surety companies when bonding capacity is needed on public or private jobs.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Offers 25% of contract price or $100,000, whichever is less, in bond guarantee to surety
Sureties perform all underwriting and offer competitive rates
LED’s Bond guarantees may mitigate some risk to surety company, leading to a positive underwriting decision.
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
The Bonding Assistance Program is open to all certified Small and Emerging Business Development (SEBD) Program
The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute, a partnership between Louisiana Economic Development, Louisiana Community & Technical College System and the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors offers small and emerging construction businesses critical information about construction management and how to prepare for the General Contractors State Licensing Exam.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Six-week course, with two-hour sessions twice a week
Taught by industry leaders
Offered via interactive distance learning to multiple locations throughout the State
Topics covered include but are not limited to:
Bid process
Contract management
Estimating
Equipment management
Scheduling
Occupational safety
Risk management
Financial and business management
Bonding and access to capital
Certifications and available resources
Entrepreneurship training
Classes may also include additional information such as working in the energy sector or with coastal restoration
PROGRAM ELIGIBILTY
The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute is open to all who have the intent to start or currently have an established construction based Louisiana business.