Unlocking Opportunities: Louisiana's Thriving Industrial Landscape
With decades of manufacturing expertise and deep roots in process industries like chemicals and refining, Louisiana is at the forefront of a modern industrial renaissance. The state’s strategic investments in site readiness, advanced GIS-mapping technology, and a pro-business climate have created ideal conditions for growth, attracting global leaders such as Dow, ExxonMobil, Honeywell, BASF, and Methanex. Backed by one of the nation’s top workforce development programs and highly competitive incentives, companies across the sector are finding unmatched advantages in Louisiana.
This includes Hyundai Motor Group, which is investing $5.8 billion to build its first North American steel facility in the state. The ultra-low carbon steel plant will support a Made-in-America supply chain and is expected to create more than 5,400 new jobs. From legacy industries to emerging technologies, Louisiana’s rich talent pool, infrastructure, and natural resources continue to drive innovation and economic growth.
Fueling Louisiana's Economy: Manufacturing by the Numbers
Pro-Business Climate for Process Industries
“The Bayou State is staging a revival that could see it emerge as the more dynamic and influential Gulf Coast hub over the coming decades, thanks to a development blueprint that could be described as being all things to all people”. —Reuters, April 2025
Louisiana offers one of the most favorable corporate tax climates in the nation, ranking 10th overall for competitiveness. With a flat 5.5 percent corporate income tax rate, a $20,000 standard deduction, and permanent full expensing for capital investments and research and development, the state offers a highly competitive environment for low-cost business operations.
Low Industrial Electricity Rates
Highly Competitive Natural Gas Rates
Industrial Talent in Full Supply
Louisiana, a right-to-work state with a rich history in process industries, boasts the highest concentration of process industries workers in the nation, supported by private sector projects and additional investments in education and training. The state is strategically investing in higher education to meet the workforce demands of the thriving process industries sector, which offers stable jobs with above-average wages. Research centers and universities across Louisiana are hubs of innovation, producing skilled talent for the process industries while consistently graduating new chemical engineers each semester. Institutions like LSU, Louisiana Tech, Southern University, Tulane University and UL Lafayette have specialized programs and research strengths tailored to this sector’s needs.
To address industry demands, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) has standardized a process technology (PTEC) curriculum, producing graduates prepared for entry-level roles in the industry. Louisiana’s commitment extends to funding a $20 million manufacturing training facility at SOWELA Technical Community College, which supports specific companies like Sasol while benefiting the broader community.
Business Incentives Designed to Manufacture Success
Louisiana’s highly competitive incentives offer both new and existing process industry operations significant advantages. Louisiana’s wide selection of programs can be combined to create robust, flexible, customized incentives packages for companies.
