Carencro presents several advantages for entrepreneurial start-ups, as well as established businesses looking to expand. Two major interstate highways at our door guarantee easy transportation access, a sophisticated digital information infrastructure secures our position in a global market, and dedicated business support resources extend every opportunity for success.

BUSINESS SERVICES

The City of Carencro has teamed up with the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and SLEMCO to establish the Enterprise Center of Louisiana, a business incubator. ECOL provides a professional atmosphere in which new or small businesses can conduct business, while learning effective business practices. Management guidance is available at no cost for tenants of the center's 30,000-square-foot office and production suite facility. Tenant businesses also benefit from shared amenities, such as receptionist service, conference room space and use of office equipment. For more information, you may e-mail Roy Holleman, ECOL executive director; call 337-896-9115; or write to 3419 N.W. EvangelineThruway, Carencro, LA 70520.

Technology-intensive companies have a wealth of resources at their fingertips here thanks to the area's fiber optic networks. Several leaders in digital communications have chosen to include Carencro and Lafayette Parish (county) on their fiber routes, among them Sprint, Sun America and Network USA.

The Carencro Business Association is a great resource for business networking and support. The organization sponsors monthly meetings and maintains a registry of local businesses.

STATISTICAL INFORMATION

*Carencro Population: 6,776
*Lafayette Parish Population: 187,001
+Workforce: 98,500, Lafayette Parish Civilian Labor Force

*1999 estimated, source: Lafayette Economic Development Authority
+August 2000, source: Louisiana Department of Labor

Tax Structure
4 percent - State of Louisiana
2 percent - City of Carencro
1.5 percent - Lafayette Parish School Board

Through the Enterprise Zone Program, tax incentives are available to business and industry moving into the Carencro area. Request information on tax incentives for business.

TRANSPORTATION

Our location at the crossroads of Interstate 10 and Interstate 49 takes the worry out of your business transportation concerns. Other local highway routes include U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 167.

Lafayette Regional Airport, just nine miles southeast of Carencro, is served by three airlines - Atlantic Southeast (Delta), Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlink - with an average of 29 flights per day. The runway length is 7,651 feet.

About 50 miles to the east is Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, and approximately 120 miles to the east is New Orleans International Airport.

Numerous water transportation options are available. The Port of Iberia, a shallow draft port, lies 30 miles to the south. There are two deepwater ports nearby: the Port of Baton Rouge (45-foot depth) is 50 miles east, and the Port of Lake Charles (40-foot depth) is 80 miles to the west. Both are designated as a foreign trade zone.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LINKS

You'll find more economic development information through these resources.
Enterprise Center of Louisiana
Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Louisiana Department of Labor
Louisiana Department of Economic Development
Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce
Port of Iberia

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

We'd love to talk to you about setting up shop in Carencro. Send an e-mail; call 337-896-8481; or write to us at 210 E St. Peter Street, Carencro, LA 70520.