Logistics, Transportation & Warehousing
Nestled between two major interstates and within driving distance of the Gulf of Mexico, our parish continues to shine as a major logistics & distribution destination.
Set Your Sites on Success in Lafayette, LA
Strategically located at the intersection of I-10 and I-49, Lafayette serves as South Louisiana’s economic center. With an integrated transportation network, diversified business base, world-class workforce and incentives designed with your success in mind, the “Hub City” has been one of the South’s best kept secrets — until now.
Midsize metros with the most new business start-ups
Our economy continues to thrive with diverse talent & industries.
Among best communities in the nation for remote work
Our quality of life makes Lafayette a destination for digital nomads.
Jobs committed for major projects since 2014
We push progress with key partnerships between government and business & industry.
Lay Roots in the Right Location
Finding the perfect place to plant a business is challenging. That’s why we conduct client-tailored research on every site. From area demographics to infrastructure, business owners can break ground in confidence knowing their property will grow with them into the future. Louisiana’s extensive certified sites process includes environmental studies, soil analyses and surveys, zoning restrictions, and authenticity documentation.
Explore our Lafayette Parish certified sites by clicking on the map pins below.
Infrastructure
2 Commercial Airports
Including the newly expanded Lafayette Regional Airport.
4 Rail Systems
Including BNSF and Union Pacific, two Class I rails.
7 Waterway Ports
Found inland and on the coast within 50 miles.
2 Major Interstates
Running through the heart of our parish.
Consolidated Utilities
Delivering electricity, water, waste management and fiber-optic internet.
Key & Emerging Industries
Information Technology
Lafayette continues to attract IT industry leaders like CGI and SchoolMint with local production of professionals skilled in computer science, data analytics, informatics and other IT-related fields, a Carnegie R1 research institution, competitive business incentives, and rich fiber-optic infrastructure.
Aviation
Propelled by offshore transportation companies since the 1970s, Lafayette has emerged as a thriving hub for value-add for the aviation and aerospace industries through a cluster of MROs, manufacturers and pilot training.
Advanced Manufacturing
Through state-of-the-art software, intelligent systems, robotics and automation, investments made by Lafayette-based manufacturers and fabricators have kept us on the cutting edge.
Energy
Discover the Energy Hub of Lafayette, LA—where innovation meets a rich legacy in the energy sector. With a strong foundation in oilfield services, our region boasts a talent pool with highly transferable skill sets and in-depth industry knowledge.
A Workforce Built for the Future
In Lafayette, foresight is our forté. Backed by a Carnegie R1 university, a community college with over 60 degree and certificate programs tailored to emerging industries, and the #1 statewide workforce recruitment and training program in the country, businesses benefit from a talent pipeline that delivers solutions before needs arise.
Our metropolitan area currently boasts a talent pool of more than 215,000, which is buoyed by strong four- and two-year institutions which call Lafayette home.
As an R1 designated research institution, University of Louisiana at Lafayette has earned a reputation for producing industry leaders who thrive on critical thinking. The university offers a rich environment for professional and STEM-industry workforce development with dedicated programs backed by research and local investment.
- $2.7 billion impact to Louisiana’s economy
- More than 240 majors, minors, and concentrations
- 50 graduate programs
- 18 online programs
- Globally recognized MBA program
- Ranked in the nation’s Top 25 programs for annual bachelor’s degrees in Computing & Informatics
- $4.5 million initiative to triple annual Computer Science graduates
- Research spending generates approximately $141.7 million in added income for the Louisiana economy
- Ranked among Top 10 U.S. universities for percentage of R&D funded by business
Serving 10,000+ students across eight campuses, South Louisiana Community College is currently one of the fastest growing colleges in Louisiana. Partnerships with local aviation, IT, healthcare and manufacturing partners have helped create more than 60 degree and certificate programs to meet — and exceed — the needs of local industry.
- 50+ programs to choose from and 10 articulation agreements with Louisiana four-year colleges to prevent loss of credit as students complete their first two years at SLCC
- Best Community College in Louisiana as ranked by Intelligent.com
- As a two-time Aspen Prize honoree as a top 150 institution, SLCC is in the Top 15% of all community colleges in the U.S.
- Winner of a national 5-year Educational Opportunity Center grant from U.S. DOE to provide free services to adults who desire to earn a high school equivalency certification, enroll in college for the first time, or return to complete a degree
Key Industry Programs
Administrative Professional
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Commercial Vehicle Operation
Drafting & Design
Electrical Training
Heavy Equipment Operator
Industrial Scaffolding
Information Technology
Industrial Electronics
Precision Machining
Welding
In addition to postsecondary education options, our Lafayette Parish Public Schools provide career and tech education (CTE) curriculum through dual enrollment and certification programs in automotive, welding, electrical, HVAC, machining, and healthcare for high school students who prefer a fast track into the workforce. Additionally, the school system has magnet academies for STEM, business & information technology, healthcare & biomedical, and the arts.
Incentives
Businesses Thriving Here
Living in Lafayette
Packed with great neighborhoods, top schools, cultural attractions, delicious eats, and so much more, Lafayette living truly puts the “life” in work-life balance. What’s more, the region’s legendary Cajun and Creole cultures are known around the globe for their joie de vivre (joy of life), creating a unique environment for work and play.
With two of the world’s largest free festivals in our backyard and year-round enrichment opportunities like Art Walk, Rhythms on the River, Bach Lunch and more, Lafayette residents enjoy a rich quality of life paired with some of the lowest costs of living in the country.
Publicly owned and operated, Lafayette Utilities System (LUS) provides the City of Lafayette and surrounding areas with electric, water, and wastewater services that are among the lowest priced in the state. Meanwhile LUS Fiber, the telecommunications division of Lafayette Utilities System, delivers competitively fast internet to residents with speeds up to 10 Gbps. Businesses can enjoy ample choice through premier communications service providers such as AT&T, Cox Communications and others.
Our airport is served by Delta, American Airlines, and United, while running cargo operations with FedEx and UPS located onsite. At 129,000 sq. ft., our all-new terminal is more than twice as large as the existing terminal with five boarding gates and room to add two more. Our expanded airport also features a new remote transmitter/receiver (RTR) facility, an expanded parking lot, a consolidated rental car facility, concessions on both sides of the security gates, and an advanced baggage handling system.
See Why Lafayette Is a Great Place to Be
- Why I Moved My Business to Lafayette, LA — And You Should, Too
- UL Lafayette a Leader in Research, Academics, Athletics
- 10 Reasons Lafayette, LA, Is the Best Place To Start a Business
- 5 Reasons Lafayette, LA, Is the Happiest City in the United States
- 13 Reasons Lafayette, LA, Is a Great Place To Live
- 10 Things You Must Do in Lafayette, LA
- Explore Lafayette Parish’s Economic Profile
- Plan Your Visit Online
Look to Lafayette
Lafayette Economic Development Authority sets your business on the right path from the start. By combining our knowledge of the region and in-depth market research, we work with businesses to build a strong foundation for growth and expansion. LEDA maintains strong relationships with local and state decision-makers and organizations that offer key resources for your business’ success.
LEDA is dedicated to providing timely assistance whether your business is new to the region or if you’ve been here for years. Reach out to our team today to get started.
Our Business Attraction Team
LEDA’s mission is to catalyze job growth and capital investments that will lead to a strong and diversified economy, equitable access to economic opportunity, and an excellent quality of life in Lafayette Parish. Learn more about LEDA.