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Panel approves LED rules for High‑Impact Jobs program aimed at higher wages in distressed parishes

Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (JLCB) · November 20, 2025

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Summary

Louisiana Economic Development described a new high‑impact jobs incentive that prioritizes wage levels and underserved rural areas; committee heard details about eligibility, wage thresholds and reporting and voted to approve the program rules.

Louisiana Economic Development presented rules for the High‑Impact Jobs program created by Act 372 with the goal of attracting higher‑paying jobs to underserved and rural parishes. Under the program, companies generally must pay at least 125 percent of the parish wage to qualify; projects in designated distressed parishes can qualify at 110 percent. LED said the program emphasizes job quality over capital investment and expects projects in several regions that together could yield thousands of new jobs with average wages higher than statewide averages.

Officials said the program will be funded via a budget request in the upcoming legislative session rather than directly from corporate income tax changes. LED noted the program lacks a statutory cap or sunset and explained it will report on outcomes as required. Committee members sought additional fiscal detail; LED said it will provide budget requests and reporting as part of the normal appropriations and oversight process. The committee moved favorable on the rules.