POPULATION: 4,273,620 (2007 estimate)

LABOR FORCE: 2,091,612 (2007 estimate)

RIGHT TO WORK: Yes

TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Oil and gas, petrochemicals, agriculture, timber, processed foods

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: Healthcare services, information technology, international trade, aviation, tourism, R&D, ship and boat building, biotechnology, port-related activities, fabricated metal

COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 20.9% (2007 estimate)

BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Corporate Income Tax: 4 percent on first $25,000; 5 percent on second $25,000; 6 percent on next $25,000; 7 percent on next $100,000; 8 percent over $200,000

Corporate Franchise Tax: $1.50 per $1,000 on first $300,000 of capital stock, surplus, undivided profits, and borrowed capital; $3.00 per $1,000 above $300,000

Sales and Use Tax: 4 percent levied on sale of tangible personal property at retail, as well as the use, consumption, distribution, or storage of tangible personal property and the sale of services in the state; 1 to 5 percent local rate; several exemptions provided for sales tax

Property Tax: 1 percent of value of land and improvements for homeowners and 1.5 percent of value of equipment and improvements for businesses; levied by cities and parishes

BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
Industrial revenue bonds
Direct, guaranteed, and participation business boans
Direct and guaranteed loans on agricultural products
CDBG (low-interest loans to companies that hire low- and moderate-income people)
Industrial property tax exemption
Research park tax exemption
Inventory tax rebate
Jobs Tax Credit
Enterprise zones (jobs and sales tax credits)
Quality Jobs Program (5 or 6 percent of payroll and sales tax rebate)
No sales tax on custom software
Economic Development Awards Program (for infrastructure needs)
R&D Tax Credit
Motion Picture Production and Infrastructure Tax Credits
Sound Recording Production and Infrastructure Tax Credits
Digital Media Production Tax Credit
Live performance incentive (rules/regulations pending)
Angel Investor Tax Credit