Downtown Business & Industries

Since 2006, the city has lured more than 45 high-tech startups or subsidiaries that have established a presence in Downtown New Orleans. Over the past several years, companies such as Accruent, DXC Technology, Axosim, Obatala, Lucid and Levelset have chosen New Orleans as an ideal location for their operations. 

Video game development executive Jeff Strain announced the launch of Possibility Space in October 2021, a game development studio that will build large-scale video games for a global audience. Possibility Space becomes the latest addition to Louisiana’s growing interactive entertainment cluster, which includes inXile, a Microsoft Xbox Game Studio; High Voltage Software, part of Keywords Studios; Testronic and Turbosquid, all in New Orleans.  Possibility Space will create 75 new permanent jobs in Louisiana with an average annual salary of $100,000, plus benefits.   Based on data from New Orleans Tech, an association designed to communicate to the digital and technology industries, there are 49 companies considered to be “makers” in the tech and digital industry.

Through special projects and investments in these burgeoning industries, the DDD is working to attract this “Creative Class” workforce to Downtown New Orleans, where amenities and lifestyle abound. With our architecture, density of amenities, cultural richness, social networks, tolerance, and easy access to entertainment and recreation, Downtown New Orleans is becoming the place to live in the Crescent City. 

This emerging generation of workers has the smarts and the confidence to get a job, but have increasingly decided that corporate America does not fit their needs. They choose to balance life and work, and are often able to create their own jobs to accomplish the lifestyle they want. New Orleans, with its blend of history, culture, arts, architecture and cuisine is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this desire.

In recent years, other industry players in the Downtown business scene include Hancock Whitney, International Matix-Tank terminals (IMTT) , LCMC Health and Possibility Space.

IMTT’s 2021 expansion will result in a $1.3 million capital investment to expand its  headquarters at 400 Poydras.  By 2022 the company will create 42 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $133,000, plus benefits.  Upon completion of the expanded office space, IMTT will employ 87 in the Central Business District.  LCMC also made a significant move to Downtown by committing to a long-term lease at 1100 Poydras Street.  The healthcare management company operates six hospitals in the Greater New Orleans region.