The Southwest Louisiana transformation story is a powerful one and it’s the cornerstone of our message to site selectors and industrial prospects around the world. A recent effort has been a supplement in Site Selection Magazine, the premier economic development publication in the world. According to the article by Ron Starner, our five-parish region anchored by Lake Charles along the gulf coast and Texas border, has recently proved that it can learn from and take challenges in stride. Mayor Nic Hunter and Chancellor Dr. Neil Aspinwall are among those featured. Here are some excerpts from the article: 

“Nearly 20 years ago, much of the region needed to be rebuilt and reimagined after the devastation of Hurricane Rita in October of 2005. Communities leaned upon on another and helped each other rebuild. Lessons were learned and plans were made to mitigate the devastation from happening again.
 
In 2020-2021, Southwest Louisiana dealt with the four consecutive blows of Hurricane Laura, Hurricane Delta, an ice storm, and a widespread flood — all during an international pandemic. The bonds forged 20-years before were in place to provide the region with strong and steady leadership.
 
From 2012 to 2021, workers in Southwest Louisiana built a total of 55 large-scale industrial projects that amounted to $48.13 billion in capital investment. The booming liquefied natural gas (LNG) market caused a surge in industrial construction that continues to this day across the five-parish region. 
 
Another 16 industrial projects totaling $7.1 billion in investment are under construction throughout the region.  

Even larger projects are in the works, as an additional 15 projects have been announced and are pending final approval representing another $74 billion in capital investment. In Calcasieu Parish, Driftwood LNG, Lake Charles LNG, and Magnolia LNG comprise a huge chunk of this activity. In Cameron Parish, Venture Global and Commonwealth are some of the other major area for LNG projects in the works.
 
The job creation numbers are equally staggering. Total construction and permanent jobs generated by the projects under construction total 6,790. Announced projects contribute another 38,399 jobs, while completed projects created 36,812 jobs.
In the article, The Alliance says five key factors attract these facilities:  
1) Concentration of pipelines supplying cheap, abundant natural gas.
2) Existing infrastructure for energy production and transportation.

3) Deep-water shipping access and shallow-draft inland waterways.
4) Skilled workforce trained in heavy industry.
5) A community that welcomes industrial growth in the petrochemical sector.
 
Another major factor is the cost of living which ranks among the country’s lowest. The transportation infrastructure includes not only the Gulf-accessible Port of Lake Charles, but also two industrial airports capable of handling corporate and military aircraft: Chennault International Airport and Lake Charles Regional Airport.
 
One corporate executive doing business in the region points to the available site inventory as a key business attraction in Southwest Louisiana. Angelo Torre, director of manufacturing at beverage conglomerate Stoli Group, says that a prime build-ready site made Lacassine in Jeff Davis Parish the perfect spot to place Louisiana Spirits Distillery.
 
“I come from a history of large greenfield projects, and I am really impressed with Southwest Louisiana,” Torre says.  “We decided to expand our Bayou Rum plant directly off Interstate 10 in Lacassine.  A rail center is located right next to us.  A lot is happening here because they have the land.”

When asked what he would advise corporate executives in other states to do, he said: “If I were a manufacturer, I would likely put my plant right here in Jeff Davis Parish because I would have this giant rail spur adjacent to I-10.”
 
Torre says he also likes the local workforce.  “I get a lot of good skills from the dual-enrollment students at SOWELA.  They have integrity and work ethic, and they are incredibly tenacious.”
 
Much like the region they spring from.”
 
To read the entire article, here is the link: https://siteselection.com/issues/2023/mar/bolstered-better.cfm