Venture Capital Match Program - provides for a match investment for qualified Louisiana venture capital funds. The fund must have at least $5 million of private investment. LEDC may match funds on 1 LEDC dollar for each 2 of private capital up to an LEDC maximum or $5,000,000.

Minority Venture Capital Match Program - provides for a match investment for qualified minority venture capital funds. The fund must have at least $250,000 of private investment for which LEDC may invest $1.00 for every $2.00 of private capital up to $5 million.

Venture Capital Co-Investment Program - provides for a co-investment in a Louisiana business of up to 1/4 of the round of investment, but not more than $500,000, with any qualified venture capital fund with at least $7.5 million in private capital. The venture capital fund may be from outside of Louisiana.

Louisiana Seed Capital Program - provides matching or co-investment funds, which with other capital provided by a Louisiana -based fund, will be used exclusively to provide the seed investment needed to move a Louisiana small business out of the theoretical stage of development on course to commercial production. The candidate company must not be a retail or professional enterprise. The applicant fund must be Louisiana based, organized for profit, have three years experience in managing the investments of other parties, and have raised a minimum of $ 250,000 for a co-investment project or $ 500,000 for a matching fund request.

BIDCO Investment Program - provides for a match or co-investment in certified BIDCOs. BIDCOs are state-chartered, non-depository alternative financing sources for small businesses. BIDCOs frequently provide equity and subordinated debt financing to new and growing companies, as well as to companies requiring turnaround assistance. A BIDCO must have at least $1 million in private capital. LEDC may match the investment $1.00 for $2.00 of private capital up to $2.5 million. Co-investments are considered on a project by project basis and cannot exceed 33% of the total investment.

Workforce Training and Development Programs
This program provides funding for customized workforce training programs, if all qualifications are met, in order to improve the competitiveness and productivity of Louisiana's workforce and business community and to assist Louisiana businesses in promoting employment stability.

Louisiana companies expanding within the state by an additional location in a new area, existing Louisiana businesses that have been operating less than three years and companies located outside of Louisiana locating a facility within the state are eligible. The expansion of an existing Louisiana company, by the addition of a new technology or product line, can be considered.

A minimum of 10 net new jobs must be created unless upgrade training is involved. Upgrade training must be provided to a minimum of 10 full-time permanent employees. Pre-employment and/or on-the-job training are eligible. (Excludes retail, gaming or gambling, trucking, lodging or hospitality, assisted living or nursing homes and retirement communities).

Renewal Communities
The 2000 Community Renewal Tax Relief authorized the creation of the Renewal Community Initiative. The Renewal Community (RC) initiative is designed to stimulate economic development in the Nation's most distressed communities.

Areas designated as RCs receive special Federal income tax treatment and other incentives of more than 5 billion dollars in tax credits. Through this initiative HUD designated 40 of the most distressed communities as RC communities and will provide them with a package of tax incentives that will last from January 2002 through December 31, 2009. North Louisiana and Central Louisiana were selected as two rural Renewal Communities and Orleans and Ouachita Parish were selected as two urban RCs. Orleans and Ouachita were previous HUD Enterprise communities. A grand total of 29 Parishes are a part of the RC Initiative.

Visit www.Renewallouisiana.com to learn more about the Renewal Community Initiative, to find out if your business is located inside a RC, and/or to find out if you are eligible for tax benefits. This site also provides tons of information on RC's and necessary contact information for Coordinating Authorities.