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Customized Workforce on Demand

When your business locates its newest facility here, Louisiana’s trained workforce helps you succeed from day one. To support the growth plans of our customer, steelmaker Benteler, the State, and the Bossier Parish Community College worked with the company and AEP’s Foundation to create the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology Training Center on campus. Louisiana’s FastStart ranks as the nation’s #1 workforce recruitment and training program. It secures success for companies of all sizes in a myriad of industries. Will yours be next?

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Let’s Do This. Together.

We connect companies such as Benteler Steel, General Dynamics and Metro Aviation to opportunities in the region known for its strategically located infrastructure, including the Port of Caddo-Bossier. AEP’s Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) powers 12 counties in northwest Louisiana. Let us make success happen for you.

Contact Eric Basinger, CEcD, Manager of Economic and Business Development

  • I build communities and grow economic opportunities. Been doing it for more than 20 years. My experience as an economic development director for multiple counties in Alabama, as well as in Bradenton, Florida, gives me insight on meeting community needs. Most recently, I led recruitment and expansion projects for GKN Aerospace, Hanil USA and Tropicana.
  • Successful collaboration stems from a strong foundation in local relationships. Having worked on different sides of the negotiation table, I help your team anticipate needs and create win-win solutions that propel you to the finish line, staying focused on what’s important to you.
  • I’m extremely knowledgeable about the South. I was born here, raised here and graduated from two of its institutions, University of West Alabama and Auburn University. I am a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) through the International Economic Development Council and am a board member of the Northwest Louisiana Economic Partnership. I am a member of the Southwest Arkansas Economic Development Alliance and the Right Corner of Texas marketing alliance in Northeast Texas.

Lay of the Land

SWEPCO serves 230,000 customers in Louisiana

Is your location served by AEP?

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The Company We Keep

Aerospace & Aviation

Energy & Chemicals

Food & Beverage

Metals

Paper & Timber

Boundless Advantages

Louisiana ranks among the top 10 states in business climate and has the fourth lowest cost of living in the U.S. Here are more reasons to choose Louisiana.

Bossier Parrish Community College offers over 50 associate and certificate programs, including advanced manufacturing and mechatronics and cyber technology.

Louisiana exports rank 6th in the nation in dollar value and have more than doubled since 2009.

Louisiana is the only Southern state where all six Class 1 railroads converge.

Louisiana is home to one of the largest port systems in the world, including the Port of Caddo-Bossier located on the Red River Waterway just south of Shreveport-Bossier.

Louisiana is one of the top five natural gas-producing states.

Louisiana is a right-to-work state in the top ten for lowest union membership rates.

For more information, visit the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) webpage.

Power in Louisiana

We bring energy solutions to meet your biggest challenges. In addition to site selection support, we can power your success with these services.

Competitive Electric Rates

Affordable power for your operations.

Economic Development Incentives

Incentives vary with the maximum benefit of a 3-year demand charge reduction of 40% in year 1, 30% in year 2, and 20% in year 3 for projects over 1MW and that create more than 31 jobs.

Energy Efficiency Programs

Rebates designed to help companies save money.

Custom Energy Solutions

Whether it’s robust transmission capacity or advisor services, our energy advisory services meet your unique needs.

Proximity Map

Featured Sites

Resilient Technology Park

Adjacent to Interstate 20 in Shreveport, this 313-acre Louisiana Certified Site offers all utilities on site.

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Ward II Industrial Park

The Ward II Industrial Park in Vivian, Louisiana, has easy access to rail, water, air, and interstate transportation.

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