Explore Louisiana Discretionary Incentives
- What discretionary incentives are
- Why discretionary and statutory incentives differ
- Common Louisiana discretionary tools
- LED faststart as a workforce example
- Site readiness and fastsites
- Project-fit signals to evaluate early
- How sumit supports incentive strategy
- Related Louisiana incentives
- Official sources
What discretionary incentives are
Louisiana Checkbook distinguishes statutory incentives, which are created in law for applicants meeting program requirements, from discretionary incentives. Discretionary incentives are performance-based tools for projects demonstrating significant economic impact and are offered at the discretion of the appropriate state decision-maker.
Why discretionary and statutory incentives differ
The distinction changes timing, certainty, documentation, negotiation, and expectations. Discretionary incentives are not entitlements and are offered based on eligibility, project facts, funding, and public-interest considerations. Some discretionary awards may require governor and/or legislative approval.
Common Louisiana discretionary tools
Louisiana Checkbook lists LED FastStart, Economic Development Award Program, Industry Assistance Exemptions for Manufacturers Program, Industrial Tax Equalization Program, Mega-Project Development Fund, and Rapid Response Fund among discretionary incentives. Availability, eligible uses, award amounts, timing, application windows, and approval criteria can change.
LED faststart as a workforce example
LED FastStart states it provides customized employee recruitment, screening, training development, and training delivery for eligible new or expanding companies at no cost. FastStart and other discretionary tools require a distinct project and alignment with LED economic-development targets.
Site readiness and fastsites
LED FastSites is a discretionary example with application cycles and selection criteria that include market demand, performance measures, return on investment, distressed-community impact, public benefit, economic impact, site potential, partnerships, resources, critical needs, and certified-site status.
Project-fit signals to evaluate early
Evaluate job creation or retention, capital investment, industrial activity, headquarters or distribution plans, competing sites, economic impact, public benefit, and timing before commitments. A project fact pattern should be documented before assuming that a discretionary tool can be combined with statutory programs.
How sumit supports incentive strategy
SumIt can support project analysis, program routing, documentation, and incentive strategy, but cannot guarantee award approval, award amount, timing, or payment. We do not administer LED programs or promise government outcomes.
Official sources
- Louisiana Checkbook incentive categories: https://checkbook.la.gov/incentives.cfm
- Louisiana Checkbook discretionary incentives: https://checkbook.la.gov/discretionaryIncentives.cfm
- Louisiana Economic Development FastStart: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/incentive/led-faststart
- Louisiana Economic Development FastSites: https://www.opportunitylouisiana.gov/fastsites
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Louisiana Discretionary Incentive Programs
What are Louisiana discretionary incentives?
They are performance-based, project-specific tools considered for projects with significant economic impact and offered at state discretion.
How are discretionary incentives different from statutory incentives?
Statutory incentives are established in law for applicants meeting requirements, while discretionary tools involve project fit, state discretion, funding, and approval limits.
Is LED FastStart a discretionary incentive?
LED states FastStart is delivered as a discretionary incentive for eligible new or expanding companies with a distinct project aligned to LED targets.
Which Louisiana discretionary incentives are listed by Louisiana Checkbook?
The listed tools include LED FastStart, Economic Development Award Program, Industry Assistance, Industrial Tax Equalization, Mega-Project Development Fund, and Rapid Response Fund.
Does a discretionary incentive guarantee funding?
No. Availability, funding, eligibility, project fit, and state approval can change and no award is guaranteed.
When should a company evaluate discretionary incentives?
Evaluate them before major location, expansion, retention, workforce, or infrastructure commitments make timing or project structure harder to support.
What information is usually needed for project-fit evaluation?
Teams should document jobs, investment, timing, site alternatives, economic impact, public benefit, and project requirements.
Can discretionary incentives be combined with statutory programs?
A combination may be possible depending on program rules and project facts, but it should be evaluated rather than assumed.
Who approves Louisiana discretionary incentives?
The appropriate state decision-maker exercises discretion, and some awards may require governor and/or legislative approval.
Can SumIt negotiate or guarantee an award?
No. SumIt can support strategy and documentation but cannot guarantee LED discretion, approval, amount, timing, or payment.