Bayou Boom

Due in part to income tax cuts, Louisiana saw record economic development numbers in 2013. This past year the state retained more jobs, created more new jobs and saw more capital investments than any year since 1998. 

The state attracted 67 major projects in 2013, according to Louisiana Economic Quarterly, generating about 27,000 new jobs and $26.4 billion in new capital investments. Traditional strongholds in Louisiana’s economy, such as chemical manufacturing and agribusiness, gained momentum while several new industries such as software development, digital media, clean tech and aerospace began to grow.

Some of the biggest projects and their highlights, according to Louisiana Economic Quarterly include:

Teleperformance
Shreveport
740 new jobs
1,260 retained jobs
$45 million projected payroll

AAR Corp.

Lake Charles
500 new jobs
250 retained jobs
$46,600 average salary

Wingspan Portfolio Advisors
Monroe
522 jobs created
400 retained
$2 million capital investment

Cool Planet Energy Systems
Alexandria/Natchitoches
72 new jobs
$168 million capital investment
$59,600 average salary

Bell Helicopter
Lafayette
115 new jobs
$11.4 million capital investment
$55,000 average salary

Additionally, a Texas-based composite railroad tie and crossing maker, IntegriCo, announced late last month it would relocate its corporate headquarters to Webster Parish, La., according to The Shreveport Times. The company will bring with it 300 new jobs and will invest $20 million in establishing its manufacturing plant.

“This is a real shot in the arm for North Webster Parish,” Webster Parish Police Jury President Jim Bonsall told The Shreveport Times. “The 300 jobs that IntegriCo Composites will bring to our parish is a godsend and a great opportunity not only for our residents but for surrounding communities as well.”

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal credits Louisiana’s economic rebirth in part with a major cut to income taxes in 2008. In an interview with the Heritage Foundation, Jindal said, “In Louisiana, we enacted the largest income tax cut in our state’s history… The results are clear: Our economy’s grown 50 percent faster than the national economy. We have more people working now than ever before.”

Jindal also presided over a $250 million annual business utility tax repeal, which took effect in 2009, according to The Times-Picayune. 

Tax cuts particularly benifit small business growth, according to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's website. By cutting taxes on busiensses, employers will retain more capital, invest more in the community and create more jobs. Since Jindal took office and tinkered with the state's tax code, Louisiana's economy has improved – the Wall Street Journal even named New Orleans as the most improved metro area in 2011.

The Lens, a news site focusing on Louisiana and the gulf coast usually critical of Jindal's policies wrote, "To say this impressive flurry of business relocations and expansions had nothing to do with Jindal’s policies or leadership would be unfair."

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