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Business Services

Ascension Parish enjoys a diverse, vibrant and growing business community. Over the past several years, Ascension Parish has consistently been one of the fastest-growing parishes in the state of Louisiana. This steady population growth has created a wealth of demand for a variety of goods, service-based businesses and industrial investments.

Local and parish governments work proactively to develop many partnerships and initiatives with the Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce organizations. These efforts have created a positive and inviting environment necessary to attract new investment, as well as support established businesses within Ascension Parish.

The physical location of the parish is also a contributing factor to its economic development success, located approximately 60 miles from New Orleans and 30 miles from Baton Rouge. In addition, the parish offers an exceptional education system, strong infrastructure, easy access to markets, as well as a skilled and available workforce.

Local and parish governments have been visionary in developing the appropriate infrastructures to support existing and new business and industrial needs.

Ascension Parish is also fully accessible to major highways (I-10), railway terminals and a deep-water port via the Mississippi river, which are all able to efficiently transport any product to its market.

The City of Gonzales and the City of Donaldsonville are the two largest urban centers within Ascension Parish. Both Gonzales and Donaldsonville provide many of the retail and service businesses in support of the residents of Ascension Parish. In particular, the Tanger Outlet Mall in Gonzales contains over 50 retail stores within one location.

Whatever your specific need, the service can be found in Ascension Parish. With a priority on education and quality of life, Ascension Parish is the ideal location to establish, develop and grow a business – and family.

Taxes
As employers, businesses are required by law to withhold state and federal income taxes and social security taxes from the wages of employees. Employers must also pay employer social security tax and unemployment insurance tax.

EMPLOYEE/EMPLOYER TAXES
SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES
SELF-EMPLOYMENT TAXES

For business tax information concerning federal income, social security, and self-employment taxes, contact the Internal Revenue Service at (800) 829-1040.
www.irs.gov

State Sales Tax
Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation Central Registration
617 N. 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 219-7318 (for registration packet)
www.revenue.louisiana.gov

Local Sales Tax
Ascension Parish Sales Tax Authority
915 S. Nickens Avenue
Gonzales, LA 70707
(225) 621-2635

Unemployment Insurance Tax
Louisiana Department of Labor
Employer Status Unit
1001 N. 23rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-2944
www.laworks.net

License and Permit Addresses

ZONING
Building / Contractor Permits, Addresses,
Zoning, and Flood Zones
Ascension Parish Building Department
Department of Planning
208 E. Railroad Avenue
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 621-5700

OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES AND OTHER PERMITS
All businesses in Ascension Parish are required to obtain a local occupational license. Costs for licenses are based on annual gross receipts, and vary according to business classification. Local permits for beer and liquor are also issued by these offices.

For businesses within the Donaldsonville city limits:
Donaldsonville City Hall
609 Railroad Avenue
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
(225) 473-4247

For businesses within the Gonzales city limits:
Gonzales City Hall
120 S. Irma Boulevard
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 647-2841

For businesses within the Sorrento town limits:
Sorrento Town Hall
8173 Main Street
Sorrento, LA 70778
(225) 675-5337

For businesses in all other parts of Ascension Parish:
Ascension Parish Sales Tax Authority
915 S. Nickens Avenue
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 621-2635

FOOD PERMITS
Department of Public Health
(Ascension Parish Health Unit)
Environmental Health
1024 S. East Ascension Complex Boulevard
Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 647-5916

STATE BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO PERMITS
Office of Alcohol & Tobacco Control
8549 United Plaza Boulevard, Suite 220
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 925-4041
www.atc.rev.state.la.us

SCORE
MISSION STATEMENT (as defined by National SCORE Organization): SCORE provides professional guidance and information, accessible to all, to maximize the success of America’s existing and emerging small businesses.

SCORE Baton Rouge is nearing forty years of serving small business clients in the greater Baton Rouge area and they now serve a total of thirteen Louisiana parishes. SCORE offers free counseling for start-up businesses and mentoring for those who are facing challenges in some phase of their business.

Their nearly seventy experienced business men and women volunteer to offer their experience from all types of business to assist clients in the areas of developing a business plan, financial forecasting, marketing and sales, advertising, human resources, franchise purchasing, buy-sell negotiations, funding, Web page design, computer help, legal assistance, accounting basics, and more.

Ascension Parish Library (Gonzales Branch)
Contact the Baton Rouge office at (877) 381-7130 or (225) 381-7130 to make an appointment.

Counseling Days: First Tuesday morning and third Tuesday afternoon of the month
708 South Irma Boulevard
Gonzales, LA 70737

Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. They recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

Your Local SBA Louisiana District Office
365 Canal Street, Suite 2820
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 589-6685