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 Utilities System announced its decision to bring fiber optic network access to every home and business within its service area. With overwhelming community support, this critical investment in Lafayette’s future helped to provide the infrastructure upon which more than a decade of success has been built.
The city-wide fiber-to-the-premise internet system, LFT Fiber, launched in 2009 and operates alongside two incumbent carriers—giving Lafayette businesses and residents three distinct communications options to choose from. This fully fiber system delivers up to 25 Gbps symmetrical bandwidth to customers and has been crucial in facilitating the new work-from-home model. Broadband availability, reliability, and speed should be considered when analyzing potential sites and the area where employees will live.
LFT Fiber's network has the capacity to support business connections up to 25 Gbps, giving companies room for demanding applications and future growth.
LFT Fiber provides complimentary WiFi at Lafayette Regional Airport, Acadiana Mall, and Downtown Lafayette public parks
LFT Fiber is first in the country for cost savings to customers
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