As the state intensifies its rural revitalization efforts, major business investments follow

Rural Revitalization Efforts Intensify

The global manufacture of the iconic John Deere line is investing $29.8 million to expand operations at its Thibodaux facility to begin producing medium-chassis cotton harvesting models that will replace existing models currently built in China. (Credit: Deere & Company)

“It is in the best interests of the citizens of the State of Louisiana to engage in a centralized and coordinated effort to further revitalization of rural Louisiana to be more productive, sustainable, healthy, attractive places to live,” Gov. John Bel Edwards proclaimed in establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization in 2020. Two years later, the benefits of that sustained, multi-disciplinary effort were apparent as the state logged 20 rural economic development projects totaling $1.5 billion in combined capital investment and creating more than 1,600 new direct and indirect jobs. Meanwhile, new federal funding earmarked for underserved communities began flowing into rural Louisiana as well, laying the groundwork for transformative change in the years to come.

Rural Economic Development in 2022

$1.5 Billion

2022 Capital Investment in Rural Communities

1,635

New Jobs Created

2022 Rural Development Project Wins

Jan 13, 2022

$800,000

Superior Group of Companies

50

New Direct Jobs

57

New Indirect Jobs

36

Retained Jobs

Parish: East Carroll | Region: Northeast

Feb 8, 2022

$45 Million

Alliance Compressors

78

New Direct Jobs

96

New Indirect Jobs

520

Retained Jobs

Parish: Natchitoches | Region: Northwest

Feb 15, 2022

$176 Million

Syrah Technologies

36

New Direct Jobs

52

New Indirect Jobs

19

Retained Jobs

Parish: Concordia | Region: Central

Feb 15, 2022

$2.1 Million

Linde

0

New Direct Jobs

0

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Parish: Concordia | Region: Central

Mar 9, 2022

$600,000

Haynes International

0

New Direct Jobs

0

New Indirect Jobs

138

Retained Jobs

Parish: Bienville | Region: Northwest

Mar 10, 2022

$500,000

Greenberry Industrial

100

New Direct Jobs

144

New Indirect Jobs

-

Retained Jobs

Parish: Jefferson Davis | Region: Southwest

Apr 4, 2022

$162 Million

International Paper

5

New Direct Jobs

5

New Indirect Jobs

444

Retained Jobs

Parish: Natchitoches | Region: Northwest

Apr 11, 2022

$900 Million

Cleco

30

New Direct Jobs

0

New Indirect Jobs

1,335

Retained Jobs

Parish: Rapides | Region: Central

Apr 19, 2022

$22.5 Million

Great Southern Wood Preserving

58

New Direct Jobs

144

New Indirect Jobs

75

Retained Jobs

Parish: Avoyelles | Region: Central

May 25, 2022

$16.2 Million

Supreme Rice

20

New Direct Jobs

79

New Indirect Jobs

181

Retained Jobs

Parish: Acadia | Region: Acadiana

Jun 22, 2022

$15.9 Million

Birla Carbon

4

New Direct Jobs

13

New Indirect Jobs

146

Retained Jobs

Parish: St. Mary | Region: Bayou

Jun 29, 2022

$500,000

Oceaneering International

0

New Direct Jobs

0

New Indirect Jobs

-

Retained Jobs

Parish: St. Mary | Region: Bayou

Aug 16, 2022

$34 Million

Cargill

0

New Direct Jobs

0

New Indirect Jobs

70

Retained Jobs

Parish: St. Martin | Region: Acadiana

Aug 24, 2022

$69.6 Million

Guidry Catfish (Processors)

15

New Direct Jobs

17

New Indirect Jobs

34

Retained Jobs

Parish: St. Martin | Region: Acadiana

Aug 31, 2022

$97 Million

WestRock

0

New Direct Jobs

0

New Indirect Jobs

450

Retained Jobs

Parish: Jackson | Region: Northwest

Oct 11, 2022

$29.8 Million

John Deere

70

New Direct Jobs

110

New Indirect Jobs

311

Retained Jobs

Parish: Lafourche | Region: Bayou

Nov 16, 2022

$4.6 Million

The Healthy School Food Collaborative

77

New Direct Jobs

140

New Indirect Jobs

3

Retained Jobs

Parish: St. Tammany | Region: Southeast

Dec 2, 2022

$97 Million

Aquaspersions

25

New Direct Jobs

101

New Indirect Jobs

-

Retained Jobs

Parish: St. Martin | Region: Acadiana

Dec 13, 2022

$9.5 Million

RoyOMartin / Martco

0

New Direct Jobs

0

New Indirect Jobs

684

Retained Jobs

Parish: Natchitoches | Region: Northwest

Dec 15, 2022

$5.9 Million

Great Southern Wood Preserving

25

New Direct Jobs

84

New Indirect Jobs

79

Retained Jobs

Parish: Avoyelles | Region: Central