Unlock the Potential of Northeast Louisiana
Northeast Louisiana offers a strategic location, robust infrastructure, and a pro-business environment, all aligned to give your project the competitive edge it needs. Positioned near major interstates, ports, and railways, Grow NELA’s 10-parish region provides seamless access to national and international markets. Combine that with a skilled workforce, affordable real estate, and strong public-private collaboration, and you have a region ready for scalable success.
Strategic Access
Northeast Louisiana sits squarely on the Interstate 20 corridor, linking Shreveport, Ruston, Monroe, and beyond. With expansive short-line networks, direct links to major railroads, planned capacity and infrastructure investments, and rail-ready development sites, businesses in the region can access efficient, cost-competitive freight movement. For companies in manufacturing, forestry, energy, or large-scale distribution, NELA’s rail connectivity is a clear operational advantage.
The region is also already leveraging new federal support for I-20 corridor passenger rail, connecting NELA cities to Dallas, Texas and Meridian, Mississippi. In December 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded $500,000 toward development of this multistate rail service, demonstrating national recognition of NELA’s transit potential.
Northeast Louisiana is home to the Monroe Regional Airport (MLU), which provides multiple daily nonstop flights to and from Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
Combined with ample shovel-ready industrial sites along I-20, like Calhoun Tech Park, and low cost of utilities, the corridor enables efficient trans-regional logistics and access to major markets like Dallas and Memphis.
Low operating costs and competitive tax structure
NELA stands out with favorable utility rates and robust regional infrastructure. The region recently attracted a $10 billion Meta AI data center in Richland Parish, triggering Entergy’s plans for $3 billion in new natural gas power plants, 500 kV transmission lines, and renewable energy expansion under its Geaux Zero program. Entergy’s upgrades also include multiple substations and transmission lines to support both current businesses and future growth, reinforcing the region’s utility reliability and low cost of operation.
Louisiana also offers one of the most business-friendly tax environments in the South, with a mix of low corporate taxes, targeted incentives, and industry-specific exemptions designed to attract and retain growing companies.
Workforce development programs tailored to industry
Two major higher-education institutions anchor talent development in NELA:
- University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) drives innovation and offers programs tailored to construction management, healthcare, process industries, IT, and agritech – feeding local employers with qualified graduates.
- Louisiana Delta Community College (LDCC) works closely with businesses to deliver workforce training programs aligned with in-region demand from logistics to advanced manufacturing.
Strategic workforce pipelines are supported statewide through LED’s “High Impact Jobs Program,” fast-track training incentives, and elevated TOPS scholarship tiers to keep top students in Louisiana campuses which benefits NELA directly in talent retention
Available shovel-ready industrial sites
Northeast Louisiana offers a strong inventory of certified sites and shovel-ready properties, strategically located along major transportation corridors and supported by essential infrastructure like rail, utilities, and broadband. These sites are vetted by Louisiana Economic Development (LED) to meet strict readiness standards, minimize risk, and accelerate time to operation.