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Kara Renne, Economic Development and Community Planning
(504) 483-8527; e-mail: kmrenne@norpc.org            

TAX INCENTIVES AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program

The Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program is a JOBS incentive program which provides Louisiana Income and Franchise tax credits to a business hiring a minimum number of net new employees, 35% of these new jobs must be filled from one of four targeted groups. A business does not have to be investing money, just creating additional jobs. Because of the Jobs creation, Sales/Use Tax rebates may be available.(from: Louisiana Economic Development web site, Enterprise Zone page)

EZs are areas with high unemployment, low income, or a high percentage of residents receiving some form of public assistance. The Board of Commerce and Industry is responsible for approving these applications. The Department of Economic Development, Office of Business Development, Business Incentives Division administers this Program. (Text from LED Web site)
Louisiana Department of Economic Development: http://www.ledlouisiana.com/

For additional information on the Enterprise Zone Program go to the web site of Louisiana Economic Development:

http://www.ledlouisiana.com/opportunities/incentives--programs/enterprise-zone.aspx

REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (RPC) — EZ Map Set

Louisiana Enterprise Zones Maps: Prepared by the RPC, New Orleans Urbanized Area (Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes). Map Index

Regional Economic Partners

Jefferson/Orleans Renewal Community Program: Renewal Louisiana provides official information on renewal communities, maps of renewal communities, information on tax benefits and tax help, downloadable forms, meeting notices, contact lists, assistance, wage credit information, etc. Jefferson/Orleans RCP: http://www.renewallouisiana.com

GNO, Inc.

Greater New Orleans, Inc.

The GNO, Inc. Mission is to serve as the catalyst for wealth creation in the Greater New Orleans region. GNO, Inc. will accomplish this by pursuing an aggressive agenda of business development – marketing the region – and product development – improving regional business conditions through policy, workforce and research initiatives. Michael Hecht, President and CEO: (504)527-6907; http://www.gnoinc.org/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Stay Local! – is an initiative to create a stronger economy based on locally owned and operated businesses. The organization encourages consumers to shop locally through its neighborhood business guides, which can be found at: www.staylocal.org

New Orleans Region - The Idea Village
The Idea Village is a depot of talent and collaboration, created for innovators in New Orleans. It is a 501(c) (3) economic development organization whose mission is to ignite innovation by providing strategy, talent and resources to entrepreneurial ventures. Since 2002, the organization has engaged a powerful network of talented individuals committed to developing a vibrant entrepreneurial community in New Orleans. http://www.ideavillage.org/

JEDCO: The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission

The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) is an independent, yet complementary arm of Jefferson Parish government with the main objective of attracting, growing and creating new business in our area. JEDCO's mission is to drive wealth creation through entrepreneurship, quality jobs and investments. JEDCO Web site: http://www.jedco.org/
Telephone: (504)833-1881; Lucien Gunter, Executive Director

STATE RESOURCES

Louisiana Vision 2020 Plans for Economic Development (LED),
2003 Update: http://www.led.state.la.us/vision2020/index.htm

Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED):
http://www.lded.state.la.us

Louisiana FastStart — Workforce Development and Training Programs

Louisiana FastStart is a single-source, world-class, workforce solutions provider that works with businesses to anticipate and address the company's workforce needs early in the startup or expansion process. Louisiana FastStart's services are provided at no cost through Louisiana Economic Development. FastStart Web site

FEDERAL RESOURCES

US Economic Development Administration (EDA): http://www.eda.gov
Mission Statement (from EDA Web site): Enhance community success in attracting private capital investment and higher-skill, higher-wage job opportunities. Its mandate is to "generate jobs, help retain existing jobs, and stimulate industrial and commercial growth in economically-distressed areas of the United States. EDA assistance is available to rural and urban areas of the Nation experiencing high unemployment, low income, or other severe economic distress.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): http://www.hud.gov
Community Planning and Development, Community Renewal Initiative, for America's Renewal Communities, Urban Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities (RC/EZ/EC)
HUD Renewal Initiatives: http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/economicdevelopment/programs/rc/index.cfm


OTHER RESOURCES

RPC BROWNFIELDS

What Are Brownfields? With certain legal exclusions and additions, the term `brownfield site' means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. (Text is from the US Environmental Protection Agency Web site) http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
EPA: http://www.epa.gov

For on-site information on the Regional Brownfields Redevelopment Initiative, and, WebBRIMS: Brownfield Redevelopment Initiative Initiative Management System (BRIMS), you may go to our Brownfields page.

For Brownfield site redevelopment technical assistance, contact:

Brownfields Program Coordinator:
Rebecca Otte, RPC Environmental Planner
(504)483-8513; rotte@norpc.org

Kara Renne, Economic Development and Community Planning
(504) 483-8527; e-mail: kmrenne@norpc.org