Explore our internationally ranked fiber network, the nationally recognized University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a superior workforce, and a growing tech and entrepreneur ecosystem
Lafayette’s formidable assets— an internationally ranked fiber network, the nationally recognized University of Louisiana at Lafayette, a superior workforce, and a growing tech and entrepreneur ecosystem— are what makes our community attractive to businesses.
Our employers— from local Mom-and-Pops to our largest tech-intensive businesses— leverage Lafayette’s extensive telecommunications infrastructure to maximize productivity, sales, and employment opportunities. Lafayette has been recognized as a top 10 community where digital media is clustered and a top community that cultivates technology. Both of these accolades can be attributed in part to Lafayette’s technology-focused initiatives led by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College, LFT Fiber, and LEDA’s Opportunity Machine — which have allowed economic development, government, education, and private investors to attract new tech-intensive businesses and innovations to Lafayette.
Lafayette’s emergent high-tech sector is poised to become an economic powerhouse in the 21st century. Technology companies are quickly adding jobs in Lafayette. These high-paying positions, in an intellectually rigorous field, are being filled by some of the world’s best and brightest— including young Louisianans who may have sought employment elsewhere if not for the opportunity in Lafayette.Louisiana has established several economic development programs that provide support for businesses investing and expanding their operations and workforces in Louisiana communities.
UP to a 25 percent tax credit for in-state labor coupled with a 18 percent credit on qualified production expenditures.
Offers qualifying companies reimbursable grants for the creation of new jobs that pay above the parish (county) average wage.
FastStart creates customized employee recruiting, screening and training solutions — at no cost to eligible companies.
A tax credit up to 30 percent to existing businesses with operating facilities in Louisiana to establish or continue research and development within the state.
In 2004, Lafayette made a major investment in its future by choosing to build a municipally owned, community-driven fiber network. LFT Fiber launched service in 2009, creating fiber infrastructure built from the ground up to serve Lafayette homes and businesses. Today, that network remains an important part of the infrastructure supporting business and economic growth across the community.
LFT Fiber’s 100% fiber network gives Lafayette businesses access to symmetrical connectivity backed by local infrastructure, local decision-making, and local support. The strength of the network can support business connections up to 25 Gbps, giving companies with demanding connectivity needs room to build and grow in Lafayette. Because LFT Fiber owns and operates its network locally, infrastructure investment and accountability stay close to the businesses and community it serves.
LFT Fiber's network has the capacity to support business connections up to 25 Gbps, giving companies room for demanding applications and future growth.
Lafayette invested in a fiber network built from the ground up, with symmetrical connectivity and the capacity to support businesses across the community.
LFT Fiber owns its network and supports it locally, putting infrastructure, decision-making, and accountability close to the businesses that depend on it.
Lafayette educators have designed contiguous technology- focused curriculum that extends across various levels of education.
The Academy of Information Technology at Carencro High School and David Thibodeaux STEM Magnet Academy prepares high school students for technology-based careers.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and South Louisiana Community College offer studies in concentrations such as Informatics, Video Game Development and Design, Cognitive Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Media Arts, Scientific Computing and Software Application Development.
2,368 graduates from UL Lafayette and SLCC in computing programs
10-year total through 2020-21
Opportunity Machine, Lafayette’s Center for Entrepreneurs, provides business education, guidance and risk reduction to startup founders and small business owners through training, mentorship, networking, and affordable workspace.
400 direct new jobs in 2014; 400 additional direct new jobs in 2018; international IT and business process services firm
HQ relocation from San Francisco, CA; 178 direct new jobs; education software development company
67 direct new jobs; aerospace manufacturing; relocation from CA