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High Impact Jobs Program

Louisiana’s High Impact Jobs Program (HIP) offers qualifying companies reimbursable grants for the creation of new jobs that pay above the parish (county) average wage. Companies of all sizes can benefit from grants administered directly by Louisiana Economic Development, with higher wages yielding higher grants.

Eligibility is largely defined by wages paid above the parish average, based on the parish where the project is located, except in cases where industries are explicitly ineligible.

Grants are awarded as a percentage of wages paid:

  • 18% grant for new jobs paying at least 125% of the parish average wage
  • 22% grant for new jobs paying at least 150% of the parish average wage

Prevailing parish average wages: HIP Parish Wages

Companies creating jobs in distressed areas are eligible for the program at a lower wage threshold:

  • 8% grant for new jobs paying at least 110% of the parish average wage or the regional average wage, whichever is lower

Distressed areas are defined as:

  • 25% of parishes with the lowest annual average wages, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics

OR

  • Areas defined as “deeply distressed” by the Federal New Markets Tax Credit Program

Parish and regional average wage figures are reflected in the Louisiana High Impact Jobs Program Map.

Search by project location

  • Gaming
  • Retail sales
  • Professional sports teams
  • State and political subdivision enterprises
  • Automotive rental and leasing
  • Local solid waste disposal
  • Local sewage systems
  • Local water systems
  • Professional service organizations primarily engaged in providing legal services
  • Professional service organizations primarily engaged in providing accounting services
  • Telemarketing and other call centers
  • Solar farms

Certain industry sectors, such as professional services, may be subject to additional limitations or exclusions.

Sole proprietorships are ineligible.

Qualifying jobs must not have existed in the state for an employer prior to the effective date of the program contract. Jobs must also meet the following requirements:

  • Full-time, at-will employees (does not include seasonal or temporary positions)
  • Directly employed by the company or a named subsidiary
  • Filled onsite or remotely by Louisiana residents
  • Include a basic health benefits plan

If a company is approved, LED may enter into a contract with an initial term of three years, setting forth terms and conditions for program participation, with the option to renew for an additional two years.

Program rules are in the Louisiana Administrative Code, maintained by the Office of State Register.

Application Process

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1

Complete the application and email it to HIPapplications@la.gov. Once received, you will be given payment instructions for the application fee and the expenditure verification report (EVR) deposit.

2

Once both payments are received, LED will begin the review process of the application.

3

If approved, LED may issue a contract.

4

LED assigns an independent Louisiana CPA.

5

When prompted by the company, an EVR is performed by the assigned independent Louisiana CPA.

6

LED reviews the completed EVR and will request any additional items needed.

7

If approved, LED issues the grant amount to the company.

1

Complete the application and email it to HIPapplications@la.gov. Once received, you will be given payment instructions for the application fee and the expenditure verification report (EVR) deposit.

2

Once both payments are received, LED will begin the review process of the application.

3

If approved, LED may issue a contract.

4

LED assigns an independent Louisiana CPA.

5

When prompted by the company, an EVR is performed by the assigned independent Louisiana CPA.

6

LED reviews the completed EVR and will request any additional items needed.

7

If approved, LED issues the grant amount to the company.

FAQs

A contract can start no earlier than the date LED receives an application and applicable fees, but no later than 180 days after the application date.

The program is designed to benefit high-wage job-creators of all sizes – eligible companies creating at least one new job that meets the program requirements can apply. Sole proprietorships are ineligible.

Both the High Impact Jobs Program and the Quality Jobs Program (“QJ”) incentivize the creation of new jobs in Louisiana and require administrative tracking and reporting on the existing or “baseline” jobs. As such, a company cannot have active contracts for both programs, covering the same time periods. Please contact your company advisor or LED staff for additional information or clarification if you are an active QJ program participant.

No. The initial three-year contract term will be subject to the prevailing average wage at the time a company enters into the contract. Two-year renewal contracts will also be based on the annual average wage associated with the initial contract term.

No. The grant is for jobs that are new to the state.

Yes, since LMN’s positions would be new to the state, those jobs may qualify if they meet all eligibility requirements.

There is currently not a salary cap per company. However, there is a cap on benefits for individual jobs. Any portion of a job’s annual wages exceeding $200,000 will not be eligible for program benefits. The benefit will only apply up to the first $200,000 of a job’s annual salary wages.

The soonest a company will be able to file a claim for a High Impact Jobs Program reimbursement grant will be July 1, 2026, or after paying 12 months of payroll, whichever is later.

The High Impact Jobs Program is very competitive with other states’ programs. The benefit is realized as a reimbursable grant rather than a tax credit. The grant maximizes the return to the project with a shorter contract period and offers a generous benefit for jobs that pay above the parish (county) average wage.  The program supports job creation at the speed of business by administering benefits directly through Louisiana Economic Development.

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