| Business incubators, at the local level, have long served the purpose of enhancing the economic development of a community. Business incubators create small businesses and small businesses have singularly been identified as being responsible, more than any other program, for creating jobs, distributing wealth and capital, and revitalizing a stagnant economy. All over the state of Louisiana, business incubators have played a major and important role in the economic development of the region through job creation, business climate stabilization, and increased tax revenues. In addition, in the period since the severe devastation wrought by naturally occurring hurricanes in Louisiana, the number of incubators has increased and their success in assisting with both disaster recovery and economic revitalization has been crucial. Louisiana has, in many ways, led the nation in the number and type of incubators that exist within its borders and further significant growth among business incubators within the state is anticipated. This study provides a description of the business incubators in Louisiana and offers an assessment of their economic development impact within the state. The results of this study will be useful to all economic development stakeholders, including community members, business leaders, investors and funders, and legislators. |
