Louisiana NOW: A New Standard

Last year, Louisiana set a new standard for itself.

This year, we are setting a new standard for the nation.

Louisiana NOW represents a new era of competitiveness grounded in execution. We are no longer preparing to win. We are winning—at a level that positions Louisiana among the nation’s most competitive environments for business investment, job creation and long-term opportunity.

Louisiana entered 2026 with undeniable momentum, driven by two years of focused work transforming the state’s economic development system. That effort strengthened competitiveness, aligned public and private partners and modernized how the state supports growth.

The results of these efforts arrived faster than anyone expected and reshaped how Louisiana competes on a national and global stage.

For the second consecutive year, Louisiana earned Business Facilities’ Platinum Deal of the Year, becoming the first state to secure back-to-back top honors. This distinction reflects more than a single project. It signals growing confidence among global companies evaluating where to invest, expand and build long-term operations.

These projects span industries, operate on a larger scale and require seamless coordination across state, regional and local partners— as well as a workforce system prepared to meet industry demand.

That level of complexity demands consistency, and Louisiana is delivering.

The state has changed how it moves projects from planning to execution. Earlier coordination across site readiness, infrastructure, and workforce preparation is reducing uncertainty and enabling companies to grow, expand and invest with confidence while creating opportunity and supporting wage growth here at home.

In the new year, Louisiana does not simply reflect on this success. We are setting the tone for what comes next and showing the world that this growth is structural, not temporary.

National benchmarks reinforce that position. Louisiana ranks among the leading states for cost competitiveness, workforce preparation and overall affordability:

• #9 Top State for Doing Business, Area Development
• #10 Corporate Tax Competitiveness, Tax Foundation
• #2 Workforce Training Program, Business Facilities
• #5 Lowest Cost of Living, U.S. News and World Report
• #7 Cost of Doing Business, CNBC

Together, these measures reflect a foundation built for sustained growth across industries and regions, from advanced manufacturing and energy to technology and emerging sectors.

In 2026, Louisiana is raising the bar again. The work ahead builds on record momentum and reflects one clear direction for the state and its partners.

This is Louisiana NOW. A new standard for what’s possible.