By Journal Staff
Louisiana Economic Development finalized more than $4.5 million in FastSites funding today for two regional ports, delivering an immediate infrastructure boost designed to expand manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics capacity across Central Louisiana.
The major funding package directs $2.55 million to the Natchitoches Parish Port in Campti to expand warehouse facilities for manufacturing, storage, and logistics operations. An additional $1.95 million will go to the Central Louisiana Regional Port in Alexandria to build a 10-acre heavy-load hardstand, supporting the ongoing expansion of DisTran Packaged Substations.
“Louisiana’s ports have always been a powerful part of how our state grows, connecting businesses, communities and industries to opportunity,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “As companies expand and supply chains evolve, the ability to move quickly and add capacity becomes increasingly important. These investments strengthen the infrastructure that keeps our businesses growing while giving Louisiana more of what it needs to compete for the next generation of industrial investment.”
The finalized port upgrades arrive as the state’s Site Investment and Infrastructure Improvement Fund reaches $200 million, boosted by a recent $50 million legislative appropriation.
“We’re proud to build on the success of the first round of FastSites as we prepare to open the next round of applications next week,” said state Rep. Daryl Deshotel. “From the beginning, this program has been focused on moving quickly, from investment to construction, to meet the demands of business. The progress we are seeing now is a strong example of that vision becoming reality.”
The next application round for FastSites opens Oct. 1, allowing communities across the state to apply for development grants. Under the program’s revolving model, both port partners will fully repay the state’s $4.5 million investment, returning the capital to fund future industrial site readiness across Louisiana.