Agriculture is the backbone of Louisiana’s economy, and Baton Rouge is leading the way. At the farm and forest level, agribusiness had a total economic value of over $11.7 billion in 2018. Baton Rouge ranks tenth for agricultural R&D spending in the U.S., which is driving growth and innovation in the sector. With renowned universities and research centers, Louisiana’s Baton Rouge region is at the forefront of developing valuable innovations in food technology and renewable natural resources.
Workforce
The Baton Rouge metro is home to two land grant research universities and two technical colleges, which means there is a broad availability of graduates and completers to support every aspect of the agribusiness sector. Whether a company is focused on research, crop technology, or agricultural production, university and college partners will ensure a strong workforce pipeline.
Incentives
Companies in the agribusiness sector may be eligible for state incentives, including:
- Quality Jobs Program: Up to a 6 percent rebate on annual payroll expenses for up to 10 years and either a state sales/use tax rebate on capital expenses or a 1.5 percent project facility expense rebate for qualifying expenses
- Industrial Tax Exemption Program: Property tax abatement for up to 10 years on a manufacturer's new investment and annual capitalized additions.
- Research & Development Tax Credit: 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.
Assets
The AgCenter is committed to providing the research, recommendations and resources that producers need to start and optimize operations. The AgCenter is one of the most active intellectual property programs in the country, competing nationally for grants to support and scale the sector. Affiliate centers include the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, which provides research from plant variety development to food technology and safety, and the Rice Research Station, which is just one of the 18 research stations operated by the AgCenter and was the first rice experimental station in the country.
The Food Incubator is a fully equipped, licensed and affordable place for emerging food entrepreneurs to start and grow their business. The incubator works closely with the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences to help tenants produce a variety of products. Services available to tenants include a bottling facility, microbiology laboratory, analytical laboratory, and the sensory services lab.
Sites
The Baton Rouge Area has 36 development-ready sites. View the full sites database.
– Iberville Industrial & Technology Park
A 55-acre certified site within three miles of LA-1, rail, and navigable water via the intracoastal waterway.
– Moseley North
A 304-acre certified site in Pointe Coupee Parish north of Baton Rouge with 3-phase distribution and transmission available on site. Close proximity to LA-981 and private rail access along the Mississippi River perfectly suited for agricultural use.
– Grezaffi South
A 213-acre certified site in Ascension Parish south of Baton Rouge with power, natural gas, and water on site. The property is adjacent to LA-30, less than four miles from I-10, and within a mile of Canadian National rail.
