Through the visitation program, Mark Mouton, LEDA’s Director of Business Retention and Expansion, seeks to gather strategic business intelligence from companies within the Parish in order to prioritize projects and programs that can contribute to the growth of a company and the local economy through job creation and expansion. 

The 2009 visitation goal for LEDA is 550 unique Lafayette Parish businesses, and we want one of those businesses to be yours. A visitation lasts around an hour and a half, but the benefits to your business can last for years. Did you know there is a program that allows you to get a rebate on the 4% state sales tax on building materials, furniture and equipment? Did you know there is a program that provides $3,000 a year per employee for professional training? You’ll learn about these opportunities and more during a visitation.

A typical visitation includes a LEDA representative gathering background information on your business such as your products and services, number of employees and expansion history. We’ll also ask more specific questions about your workforce, management, market share, competitors, technology, and community services. We’ll share information about LEDA services, incentive programs and other resources and how your business can use them. The objective of these visits is, simply, to listen to you about your concerns, challenges, successes and goals. If any specific concerns are identified, the staff at LEDA will work with you to facilitate their resolution.

Our existing businesses are what keep Lafayette’s economy strong and stable. LEDA wants to develop relationships with businesses from all sectors, of all sizes, both old and new. We want to educate and assist businesses in identifying and using programs and resources to help them become more competitive. If you would like to set up a meeting to learn more about how LEDA can work for your business, email Mark Mouton or call (337) 593-1409.