Southwest Louisiana has again been recognized for its strong industrial base. Southern Business & Development Magazine Publisher Michael Randle recently announced that the Southwest Louisiana Region is among ten historically
dominant manufacturing regions in the South. Industries such as Sasol, Venture Global, Westlake Chemical, Northrop Grumman, Cheniere, and Phillips 66 are reasons for the recognition.

Randle said, “in more than forty years in covering economic development in the South, I have not seen a relatively small market become such a powerhouse as Southwest Louisiana. It’s really amazing,” he said. 

We are excited to be recognized as one of the top manufacturing areas in the South. It’s sometimes easy to take for granted our strong industrial base, the number of our local residents employed in industry, and the financial impact industries have on our local governments. Other regions recognized were: Savannah, Georgia; Northeast Tennessee; South Alabama; Northeast Arkansas; South Central Kentucky; Northeastern Mississippi; West Tennessee; North Alabama; and North Central Kentucky.

Looking at one of our top industries, you can immediately see why our economy is consistently strong. Sasol, for example, employs 1,200 at their Lake Charles Chemical Complex. 800 are with Sasol and 400 are with LyondellBasell. Did you know that 82% of Sasol’s Lake Charles employees reside in Calcasieu Parish? There are an additional 1,000 additional contractors employed annually through major Louisiana contractors. The chemical industry’s economic impact in Louisiana is $65.2 billion. Sasol’s 2023 Louisiana sales, use and property tax payments are $23 million. Sasol spent $307 million with Louisiana Businesses and $35 million of that was spent with minority-owned Louisiana businesses. Sasol contributed $910,000 to charitable organizations last year. Some of that was for small business development and more than half was for education and workforce development. After learning these facts, it’s easy to see how important Sasol is to our region and nation.

Additionally, Lake Charles Methanol II, LLC has announced plans to invest $3.24 billion to construct a new manufacturing plant that will produce low-carbon intensity methanol and other chemicals at the Port of Lake Charles. The company
plans to use advanced auto thermal gas reforming technology and employ carbon capture and secure geologic storage to produce low-carbon hydrogen for conversion to methanol.
 
If the project moves forward as outlined, the company expects to create 123 direct new jobs in Calcasieu Parish, with an estimated average annual salary of $135,955. LED estimates the project would result in 605 indirect new jobs, for a total of 728
potential new jobs in the Southwest Region. Lake Charles Methanol estimates that more than 2,300 construction jobs will be created at the peak of construction. While it’s easy for some to criticize our industry, we should also recognize that
industry is the economic foundation of our region and it has been that way basically since World War Two. Several generations have been employed in our region’s industries allowing them to provide for their families. The personal volunteer time given by industry workers in civic and charitable organizations, area schools, and churches is invaluable. 

Many areas would like to be in our position with this strong industrial base. We are very fortunate to live in a region with a consistently viable economy.

George Swift
President/CEO Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance