Lafayette Parish

Acadiana, Louisiana · 244K people · $16.5B GDP

Timeline
2026Present
NOW
EVENT HORIZON
2020202620302035204020452050
Acadiana RegionTrust Builder Community

Future Path

Pick a future path. Every number on this page updates with the impacts and the ranked actions for that path.

Disruption Profile

Baseline + Probable

High — Active disruption underway in key sectors

High — Median household income $52K (-5.5% vs state median) -- near the state median.

Moderate — Building pressure in key sectors

Moderate — AI Exposure Index: 58/100 -- moderate vulnerability to AI-driven workforce disruption.

Moderate — Building pressure in key sectors

Moderate — Moderate exposure across select industries

Moderate — Moderate exposure across select industries

Low — Limited disruption signal

Minimal — Limited disruption signal

Lafayette Parish vs Louisiana Average

Lafayette Parish exceeds Louisiana average on 4/9 dimensions. Highest divergence: Social Trust (-28)

Click a dimension label to explore

Lafayette Louisiana US Avg

Projected impact · 2026

Stakes for Lafayette Parish

Probable cone · 1.00x

With 118K jobs in Lafayette Parish and AI exposure at 58/100, here is what the model projects through 2031 under the probable cone (default 5-year horizon — scrub the timeline to extend).

Model: at-risk = workforce × (AI exposure ÷ 100) × ((year − 2020) ÷ 10, capped 0-1) × cone multiplier. Each STEEPE-point improvement preserves ~1% of at-risk jobs. The same formula runs backwards (retrodiction) and forwards (projection), so scrubbing pre-2026 shows what the model says was already exposed by that year.

See per-dimension breakdown

How 19 actions distribute across 5 dimensions, plus near-term vs medium-term lists.

If Lafayette Parish implements all 19 recommended actions, the model projects these dimensional improvements.

Economic Disruption
60+36 pts
Scale the Unmanned Systems Cluster /Evangeline Corridor AI Innovation District /Reduce Energy Services Concentration Risk /Public campaigns, addiction programs, mental health resources. /Joint meetings, CEDS updates, resource sharing. /Unified branding. /Identify ecotourism assets.
Education Value
52+30 pts
LED FastStart AI Workforce Program /Close the Skills Gap with AI-Ready Credentials /Pre-emptive Reskilling Pipeline: Oil field services /Sector-Aligned K-12 + Community College Pipeline /Registered Apprenticeship Expansion: Energy Services /Sector-Pivot Scholarship Voucher
AI > AGI > ASI
53+12 pts
Convert AI Vulnerability into First-Mover Advantage /Anchor Employer AI Co-Investment Compact /Universal Broadband for AI Economy Participation
Social Trust
53+9 pts
Targeted Poverty Reduction in Highest-Need Areas /Pre-Positioned Displaced Worker Rapid Response
Ecological Stress
73+4 pts
Climate Resilience Infrastructure Investment
Near-term (1-3 yr)+76 pts

15 actions within local control

  • - Close the Skills Gap with AI-Ready Credentials
  • - Scale the Unmanned Systems Cluster
  • - Evangeline Corridor AI Innovation District
  • - Convert AI Vulnerability into First-Mover Advantage
  • - Reduce Energy Services Concentration Risk
  • - Targeted Poverty Reduction in Highest-Need Areas
  • - Pre-emptive Reskilling Pipeline: Oil field services
  • - Sector-Aligned K-12 + Community College Pipeline
  • - Anchor Employer AI Co-Investment Compact
  • - Registered Apprenticeship Expansion: Energy Services
  • - Pre-Positioned Displaced Worker Rapid Response
  • - Public campaigns, addiction programs, mental health resources.
  • - Joint meetings, CEDS updates, resource sharing.
  • - Unified branding.
  • - Identify ecotourism assets.
Medium-term (3-7 yr)+15 pts

4 actions requiring partnerships or advocacy

  • - LED FastStart AI Workforce Program
  • - Universal Broadband for AI Economy Participation
  • - Climate Resilience Infrastructure Investment
  • - Sector-Pivot Scholarship Voucher

Action Plan

Probable path

Top recommendations for Lafayette Parish, ranked by estimated impact. 19 total · +91 pts combined.

Who Can ActCEDS-grounded ↗

Of 19 recommended actions for Lafayette Parish, 17 are within direct control. Tap a sphere to see the actions and what each one does.

Recommendations are cross-checked against Acadiana Planning Commission (2023). Aligned actions show the matching CEDS commitment.

Acting on the 17 local levers alone (+83 STEEPE pts) is the fastest path to shifting the probable→preferred future cone for this county.

Top Employers — Lafayette Parish

The 8 largest employers shaping the local labor market. Tap any row for the public-data profile and AI-exposure assessment.

Combined headcount across profiled employers: 2.0K globally · 7 not yet profiled

Economic Development Authority

Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA)

Louisiana Development Ready Community

Website

Target Sectors

UAS/Drone ManufacturingAdvanced ManufacturingEnergy ServicesTechnologyHealthcareLogistics

Active Programs

  • +LED FastStart (#1 ranked state workforce program)
  • +Retail Ready (6 municipalities)
  • +Skill Up for Economic Resilience
  • +Small & Minority Business Development
  • +GIS/mapping for site selectors

Recent Wins

DMR Technologies $1.4M 521 direct jobs at $85K avg
$1.4M521 jobs2025
Drone Institute $340K expansion 610 jobs
$340K610 jobs2025
Blueflite medical drone logistics
2025
MMR Group $55.2M expansion
$55.2M2025

Supporting detail

Open any section to dig into the underlying data.

Workforce transitions by sector

LA WARN notices grouped by industry

WARN Act notices in Lafayette Parish. Identifies sectors with displaced talent pools available for recruitment and retention by economic development programs.

Total WARN Notices

18

Workers Affected

1,470

Top Sector

Energy Services

Energy Services880 workers (60%)
Software / Technology255 workers (17%)
Aviation / Rotorcraft130 workers (9%)
Manufacturing110 workers (7%)
Healthcare95 workers (6%)

Recent Notices

LAYOFF

Back-office automation (projected)

80 workers · Energy Services · 2026-09

AI automation of permitting, scheduling, accounting functions

est.
LAYOFF

Energy service consolidation (projected)

100 workers · Energy Services · 2025-06

AI-optimized drilling reduces field service headcount

est.
CLOSE

ASAP (formerly Waitr)

30 workers · Software / Technology · 2024-03

Company wind-down, ceased operations

est.
LAYOFF

Perficient

25 workers · Software / Technology · 2023-04

Tech sector layoffs, digital consultancy restructuring

est.
LAYOFF

Schumacher Clinical Partners

40 workers · Healthcare · 2022-09

Emergency medicine staffing restructuring, TeamHealth acquisition

est.
LAYOFF

Waitr Holdings (ASAP)

50 workers · Software / Technology · 2022-08

Continued wind-down, rebranded to ASAP

est.
LAYOFF

LHC Group

55 workers · Healthcare · 2022-11

Pre-acquisition restructuring (UnitedHealth/Optum acquisition)

est.
LAYOFF

Frank's International

45 workers · Energy Services · 2021-06

Tubular services consolidation

est.
LAYOFF

Waitr Holdings

60 workers · Software / Technology · 2021-03

Continued restructuring, driver reclassification

est.
LAYOFF

Oceaneering International

65 workers · Energy Services · 2020-05

Offshore services downturn

est.

Disruption scenarios

Exponential impact paths driven by the timeline

Exponential Impact Scenarios

Cross-signal alerts

When multiple risk signals converge on this parish

Convergence Alerts

highClimate-Economic Nexusstrength 95%
Ecological 73/55Economic 71/50

Ecological stress amplifies economic disruption through insurance costs, infrastructure damage, supply chain disruptions, and forced migration patterns.

Precedent: Hurricane Katrina (2005), Texas winter storm (2021): climate events created multi-year economic disruption in affected regions.

Lafayette Parish: 2 dimensions converging above thresholds simultaneously.

buildingAI-Economic Squeeze96% to trigger
Economic 71/60 ✓AI 53/60 Education 54/50 ✓

Approaching convergence threshold. 1 dimension still below trigger level.

Full economic profile

Demographics, employment, sectors, incentives

EVI: stableBASELINEMetro (RUCC 2)

Housing & Infrastructure

Median Home Value

$195K

Homeownership

62%

Median Rent

$950

Broadband Access

88.0%

Avg Commute

21 min

Labor Force Part.

62.0%

Affordable housing market recovering from energy downturn. New construction accelerating in southern corridors. Flood risk from heavy rain events affects insurance costs.

Employment by Sector

Energy Services18%
Healthcare & Social15%
Professional Services10%
Retail Trade9%
Construction8%

Population & Talent

Population

244K

Change Since 2020

+0.3%

Median Age

35.5

Population stable after energy downturn-driven losses in 2015-2020. UL Lafayette enrollment steady. Modest gains from out-of-state remote workers attracted by fiber and cost of living.

State Incentive Programs

Available incentives from LED for business attraction and expansion in Lafayette Parish.

Quality Jobs Program

Rebate

Cash rebate on new payroll for qualifying companies creating well-paying jobs. Louisiana's flagship incentive providing a direct annual rebate of up to 6% of gross annual payroll for new direct jobs.

Max Benefit

Up to 6% annual cash rebate on new payroll for up to 10 years (5-year initial + 5-year renewal)

Eligibility

Companies creating 5+ new permanent jobs (small business) or 15+ new permanent jobs (standard) at or above 90% of parish average wage. Manufacturing, digital media, headquarters, and R&D qualify.

Enterprise Zone Program

Tax Credit

State income and franchise tax credits for job creation in designated enterprise zones. Provides $2,500 per new job created plus a sales/use tax rebate on materials and equipment.

Max Benefit

$2,500 income/franchise tax credit per net new job + 4% sales tax rebate on building materials, equipment, and machinery

Eligibility

Businesses creating permanent net new jobs in designated enterprise zone census tracts. Must hire at least 35% of new employees from the enterprise zone.

Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP)

Exemption

Property tax abatement on new manufacturing investment. Provides an 80% exemption on ad valorem property taxes for up to 10 years on qualifying capital investment in manufacturing facilities.

Max Benefit

80% property tax abatement for up to 10 years on qualifying manufacturing improvements and equipment

Eligibility

Manufacturing establishments. Requires local government (parish council/school board) approval. Must demonstrate job retention or creation and capital investment.

Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive

Tax Credit

Refundable income tax credits for digital media and software development expenditures in Louisiana. Designed to attract tech companies, game studios, and software firms.

Max Benefit

25% tax credit on qualified production expenditures + 18% credit on Louisiana labor (software); credits are transferable and refundable

Eligibility

Companies producing digital interactive media products, video games, or developing commercial software in Louisiana. Minimum $50K spend for software; $300K for interactive media.

Technology Commercialization Credit

Tax Credit

Tax credits for businesses investing in the commercialization of Louisiana university research. Supports the translation of academic R&D into commercial products and services.

Max Benefit

40% tax credit on qualifying commercialization expenditures (up to $100K credit per project)

Eligibility

Louisiana companies commercializing technology developed at a Louisiana university or federal research lab. Must license or acquire IP from qualifying institution.

Competitive Projects Payroll Incentive

Rebate

Enhanced payroll rebate for large-scale competitive projects that Louisiana is pursuing against other states. Provides flexibility beyond standard Quality Jobs terms.

Max Benefit

Up to 15% rebate on new payroll for up to 15 years (negotiated based on project scale)

Eligibility

Large-scale projects with 50+ new direct jobs and $25M+ capital investment. Must demonstrate multi-state competitive consideration. Governor's discretionary approval.

Acadiana hub with energy services heritage diversifying into technology, aviation, and healthcare. LUS Fiber (municipal broadband) provides infrastructure edge. University of Louisiana at Lafayette computing pipeline growing. Energy sector volatility creates boom-bust cycles but community resilience is high.

Sources

Census ACS 5-Year 2023: Lafayette ParishBLS LAUS: Lafayette MSALEDA: Lafayette Economic Development Authority

Grant matches

Federal funding aligned to parish levers

Best-Fit Incentive Programs

State programs matched to Lafayette Parish's industry mix, workforce needs, and recommended actions.

Quality Jobs Program
RebateUp to 6% annual cash rebate on new payroll for up to 10 years (5-year initial + 5-year renewal)
60
  • +Matches manufacturing focus
  • +Matches technology focus
  • +Funds 3 recommended actions

Recommended for: Reduce Energy Services Concentration Risk, Scale the Unmanned Systems Cluster, Evangeline Corridor AI Innovation District

Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP)
Exemption80% property tax abatement for up to 10 years on qualifying manufacturing improvements and equipment
45
  • +Matches manufacturing focus
  • +Funds 3 recommended actions

Recommended for: Convert AI Vulnerability into First-Mover Advantage, Anchor Employer AI Co-Investment Compact, Universal Broadband for AI Economy Participation

Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive
Tax Credit25% tax credit on qualified production expenditures + 18% credit on Louisiana labor (software); credits are transferable and refundable
45
  • +Matches technology focus
  • +Funds 6 recommended actions

Recommended for: Convert AI Vulnerability into First-Mover Advantage, Reduce Energy Services Concentration Risk, Anchor Employer AI Co-Investment Compact

Technology Commercialization Credit
Tax Credit40% tax credit on qualifying commercialization expenditures (up to $100K credit per project)
45
  • +Matches technology focus
  • +Funds 6 recommended actions

Recommended for: Convert AI Vulnerability into First-Mover Advantage, Reduce Energy Services Concentration Risk, Anchor Employer AI Co-Investment Compact

Enterprise Zone Program
Tax Credit$2,500 income/franchise tax credit per net new job + 4% sales tax rebate on building materials, equipment, and machinery
30
  • +Funds 6 recommended actions

Recommended for: Convert AI Vulnerability into First-Mover Advantage, Reduce Energy Services Concentration Risk, Anchor Employer AI Co-Investment Compact

Target industries

Sectors prioritized by the parish strategy

Sectors aligned with the parish’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and AI impact assessment.

1.Aviation, Aerospace MRO & Rotorcraft

AI mixed

Existing rotorcraft heritage from offshore operations, airport infrastructure supporting cargo and corporate aviation. PHI Aviation, helicopter MRO capabilities.

2.Energy Services & Offshore Technology

AI mixed

Gulf's deepest pool of energy and energy-transition talent. LEDA positions Lafayette as bridging traditional energy and emerging solutions.

3.Medical Technology & Healthcare Manufacturing

AI tailwind

Regional healthcare center. Tides Medical win supports a cluster around wound care, medical manufacturing, specialty nutrition.

4.Logistics, Distribution & Cold Chain

AI tailwind

I-10/I-49 crossroads between Houston and New Orleans. Interstate access, airport cargo capability, existing Amazon/FedEx/UPS presence.

5.Software, GovTech & Digital Operations

AI tailwind

CGI, SchoolMint, Perficient presence. USL fiber infrastructure. UL Lafayette computing pipeline. Mid-market software and digital services delivery center.

Best-case opportunities

What this parish wins in the preferred future

Sources

Government, academic, and live data feeds

Census ACS 5-Year 2023: Lafayette ParishBLS LAUS: Lafayette MSALafayette Economic Development AuthorityCensus QuickFacts: Lafayette ParishBEA: Lafayette MSA GDPFRED: Lafayette MSA EmploymentUL Lafayette
Back to Louisiana