South Louisiana Steps Up as Homegrown Private Equity Grows

Staff @ LT&C
Aug 26
1 min read

South Louisiana is emerging as a private equity incubator, with local firms raising substantial capital and beginning to shape regional investment dynamics.

From Acquisition Targets to Investment Hubs

For years, Louisiana companies were often acquisition targets for large out-of-state private equity firms. But now, a striking shift is underway. South Louisiana–based private equity players have mobilized billions in capital, acquired companies beyond state lines, and are nurturing a homegrown investment ecosystem that promises to reshape regional economic power.

Carr’s Hill Partners Takes the Lead

At the forefront of this movement is Carr’s Hill Partners, a firm founded in 2019 and headquartered in New Orleans. Earlier this year, the firm surpassed expectations by raising $210 million for its first fund, well above the initial target.

Specializing in industrial and infrastructure services, Carr’s Hill focuses on smaller, founder- or family-owned businesses valued around $5–15 million in EBITDA. Their portfolio includes companies such as:

Matthews Brothers Dredging (marine services)
Axis Industries (scaffolding, fireproofing, coatings)
Arrow Waste (waste hauling)
Smart Safety Group (compliance services)

Under Carr’s Hill’s leadership, these companies have grown significantly, completing multiple add-on acquisitions and expanding their reach.

Why It Matters for Louisiana

This trend signals a profound change for South Louisiana’s economy. Rather than exporting capital or falling prey to outside buyers, local firms are now competing, investing, and scaling from within. As Carr’s Hill and other regional firms continue to grow, they bolster economic resilience and generate opportunity—right where it matters most.

Comments

OPINION: PBM Reform Can’t Wait

Dear Editor, No matter how strong of a support system someone has, it can’t fix a healthcare structure that seems designed to exhaust people. The biggest frustration I hear, whether it’s from relatives, neighbors, or coworkers, is the constant interference from pharmacy benefit managers. These middlemen companies don’t treat patients or write prescriptions, yet they have enormous power over what medications people can access. In the end, they profit off everyday families,

1 day ago1 min read

Louisiana to New York: “If You’re Tired of Socialism, Come South.

Gov. Jeff Landry is turning a moment of political upheaval in America’s largest city into an opportunity for Louisiana. Days after New York City elected democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as its next mayor, Landry placed a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal urging businesses to rethink their future in the Big Apple — and to consider Louisiana instead. The headline, printed in bold above the fold, delivered the message with unmistakable clarity: “In Louisiana

Nov 213 min read

What Works — And What Doesn’t — in the State’s Incentive Strategy

Louisiana spends heavily on economic incentives — more than $500 million in 2023 alone — in an effort to attract investment, revive communities, and stay competitive with neighboring states. Whether those incentives deliver real value often depends on a simple question: Do they change business decisions that wouldn’t have happened otherwise? To understand which incentives pass that test, we examined perspectives from economic development leaders, business organizations, poli

Nov 212 min read