Baton Rouge is where many distinctive Cajun and Creole cultures can unite and thrive in a community. Named by French explorers as “the Red Stick City,” Baton Rouge is home to many big-name celebrities, the first successful Civil Rights bus boycott, and home to the second-largest indoor carousel in the world. But there's a lot more to the fifth largest city on the Mississippi River.

Running a successful business in Baton Rouge takes a lot of hard work, soul, love, and determination - something many people within the city use daily to drive the economy. Just take the founder of Raising Cane's as an example. Todd Graves' resiliency and drive pushed him to work 90-hour weeks to raise enough money to start Louisiana's famous Chicken Finger restaurant chain.

Mardi Gras isn't the only reason people flock to Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge's economy is one of the strongest in the south, ranked as “Top 10 Places for Young Adults” and “9th Best Place to Start a New Business.” Plenty of small businesses make this densely populated city and parish a great place to thrive.

Suppose you're in business in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In that case, you understand the need to maintain a healthy business outlook and upkeep your environment to keep in line with the diverse, local community. Any necessary business venture you add to your belt increases the opportunity for your business to create a lasting impact on your community. But an increase in funds is generally needed to do so.

Rather than searching for a traditional lender with a lengthy application process, choose First Union Lending to provide you with business funding at an expedited rate. We help small and growing businesses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, achieve their goals and maintain success

Top Four Industries in Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge has a diverse mix of industries that drives the economy. Louisiana's film industry has increased dramatically over the years. Five primary industries can capture hearts in this history-rich city. You can receive financial assistance through a business loan if relevant to your business.

Oil & Gas

The oil and gas industry is one of the most significant economic drivers in Baton Rouge. As a result of its location and available resources, items like natural gas, propane, and oil products are dispersed throughout the region thanks to shipping freights and pipelines. Due to the parish being the farthest inland port on the Mississippi River, it can accommodate ocean-going tankers and cargo carriers. Baton Rouge's largest industry is its oil and gas production and manufacturing. The fourth largest employer in the area is also the largest private organization in the region, ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

Audio Engineering

Software development, digital media production, sound studios, and film production are growing significantly, and even the local universities are responding accordingly. Due to the tremendous growth in film production, audio engineering is another growing industry in the Baton Rouge region. Students and business professionals can enroll in degree programs tailored to entertainment technology, audio engineering, and audio for digital media to support knowledgeable growth and keep this industry thriving. It also helps that the film industry itself receives generous tax incentives from the state of Louisiana.

Manufacturing

Baton Rouge is also home to some of the top manufacturing operations in the nation. Small and large businesses coexist to drive the economy to maintain a business hub for innovation and creativity. With technological advancement and more people moving to more affordable towns, more companies are expanding to meet project needs. Proper business funding is needed to maintain and upgrade equipment when required, keeping up with industry trends.

Tourism and Food

The state is known for providing cultural experiences through arts, theater, and food, thanks to Louisiana's mesh of cultures from Creole and Cajun communities. Baton Rouge may be considered a college town as it was also voted one of the "Top 10 Places for Young Adults" in 2010 by Portfolio.com. Many restaurants and retailers started in Baton Rouge or currently house their headquarters there, like BBQGuys, Piccadilly Restaurants, and Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers. Baton Rouge, along with many other cities in Louisiana, is an epicenter of culture and excellent tasting tour which attracts tourists year-round.

Stand Out From The Crowd With A Business Loan

Beyond the dynamic growth and the solid business climate, Baton Rouge is home to one of Louisiana's most prominent colleges: LSU. A college town mentality pervades portions of the city. And LSU happens to be one of Baton Rouge's biggest employers. As the region is nestled along the Mississippi River, the people of Baton Rouge, LA, enjoy a diverse and exciting metro environment and a scenic and an active outdoor one. Find out what you qualify for!

As a Baton Rouge small business owner, you should consider this upcoming year a fantastic time to take advantage of all the resources at your disposal. It will help if you differentiate yourself from the pack. Do something to stand out and make a splash.

This means opening a new location or launching a new product line in the new year. Whatever project you have in mind, our loan agency serving Baton Rouge can supply the capital to help you get the project off the ground. Call for a free consultation or fill out our online application, and we will reach out to you!

Uses of a Small Business Loan

Businesses often utilize business loans to cover equipment, real estate costs, or working capital paid off between one and 25 years. Business loans can also purchase fixed assets or help maintain day-to-day operations. Most businesses use small business loans for the following:

• Boost Your Cash Flow

  Get small business financing to free up cash for immediate reinvestment in your company. You'll have more flexibility in financial decisions and be able to prioritize expansion rather than worrying about day-to-day expenses.

• Buy New Equipment

  It's essential to find the most powerful and modern tools to provide the best possible service to your clients. Buying equipment can add up quickly. We can work with you to find the best financing options for your small business.

• Refurbish Your Premises

  Maintaining or upgrading your company's facilities is an investment, especially if you're still in the early stages of growth. A small business loan can cover some or all of the costs involved in creating a clean and modern working environment to succeed and attract customers.

• Hire Extra Staff

  If you need to add top talent to your team but don't have the cash to do it, an option like a small business loan with competitive interest rates could be the way to get funding.

• Cover One-Off Costs

  A small business loan or line of credit can help you take advantage of any opportunities that come your way.

• Grow Your Business

  We've helped thousands of established businesses in the United States grow, create new jobs, and stimulate economic growth in their local communities with the best trim business financing options for their needs.

First Union Lending is Here to Help Your Business Succeed

Unlike traditional banks, we do not scrutinize you in terms of just a credit score or number of years in business. We take a big-picture approach- we want to know who you are, what value you bring to the Baton Rouge economy, and how you plan to grow your company in the coming years. It's about hearing your story and evaluating you based on all facets of your small business. Not just one or two aspects of it.

Maybe you've already tried to approach a Baton Rouge bank for a business loan. Let us guess…they made you wait weeks or months for a decision to return with a "no." They were probably fixated on your credit score or years in business. First Union Lending doesn't operate like this, and we certainly aren't looking for reasons to reject your loan application. We understand it as our job to help you succeed and grow.

Our application process is straightforward. Fill out an online form and submit a few documents. Your advisor will help you every step of the way. We take a big-picture approach to commercial funding, meaning it's not about one score or how much collateral you have. Instead, it's about who you are and how your company is helping the dynamic Baton Rouge economy. We offer lines of credit, short-term loans, equipment financing, SBA loans, long-term loans, commercial property loans, debt consolidation, bridge loans, credit card processing, health care provider loans, invoice factoring, merchant cash advances, and other uniquely tailored loan products. And with programs ranging from 5k to 10 million, we have the resources available right now! We're never about making you wait—most receive funding the same day.

What plans do you have for your Baton Rouge, Louisiana company? We've worked with dozens of small business owners in healthcare, food and beverage, manufacturing, retail, and so on. We understand the differences in the various industries we have no off-the-shelf approaches. Every client is different; thus, every client gets a commercial loan designed specifically for their business needs.

We would love to hear from you—a representative is standing by to help. Speak with a specialist! We genuinely want to understand what you're all about because we know that together we can make your Baton Rouge business, whether located in Belhaven or Fondren, a bona fide success.