Gov. Landry touts economic momentum in Ascension as some push for nonindustrial investment

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In Donaldsonville, a former Louisiana capital city nestled roughly halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, two stories are playing out as multinational companies look to construct large industrial facilities in the area.

One story says the area is at the forefront of an economic revival across the state that will make Louisiana into a powerhouse in the South. The other story says the proposals will not bring the community long-term economic prosperity and instead will contribute to health inequalities across the region.

Those diverging narratives, the first told by elected officials and business leaders and the second by some locals and environmental advocacy groups, came into sharp focus Wednesday at the Baton Rouge Industrial Group’s quarterly meeting in Donaldsonville with the city's Chamber of Commerce. There, hundreds converged for networking, food and speeches from Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois.

The contrasting opinions were visible from the start. As industry leaders from Hyundai and CF Industries entered the building, followed by politicians ranging from state representatives to local school board members, a black truck in the parking lot with an electronic billboard on its sides displayed a message: “$600 million: That’s what Landry’s steel plant will cost taxpayers.”

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In his speech, Landry said he and the Legislature are “writing the greatest story that no one is talking about,” which he said was unparalleled economic growth and Louisiana becoming a leader across the southern United States.

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Landry briefly addressed criticisms, including references to the debate over carbon capture and sequestration technology, yet he argued that Louisiana shouldn’t be left behind and that critics came with the political territory.

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The proposed investments come with a substantial taxpayer price tag. As the truck’s billboard stated, officials plan to spend $600 million on land purchases, roads, rail upgrades and a new state-owned worker training facility.

The companies will also likely see significant industrial tax exemptions, which allow up to an 80% property tax reduction for companies. The Ascension Parish Council also passed an ordinance creating an economic development district for the area, which allows taxes to be specifically reinvested in economic development projects there.

Before Wednesday’s event, some residents from Donaldsonville and Modeste — a historic community officials plan to displace for the proposed plants — gathered outside to push back against the proposals. Organized by the Donaldsonville-based Rural Roots Louisiana and New Orleans-based Louisiana Bucket Brigade advocacy groups, the residents argued that officials should seek nonindustrial economic investments.

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A statement from Rural Roots Louisiana Founder Ashley Gaignard, who couldn’t attend the event, pointed to what she said had been decades of neglect from officials.

“Over my 48 years of living in Donaldsonville, I've watched the west bank overlooked and underdeveloped despite its historic beauty, strategic location and untapped potential,” the statement said. “Now instead of investing in our community, the parish is entertaining a dangerous pollution build out that would require moving residents off 17,000 acres, displacing an estimated 600 residents.”

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Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment introduced Landry, framing the investments as a turning point for the parish.

“These projects will position Ascension Parish as a national leader in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, sustainable industry, bringing jobs, innovation and opportunity to the people in this room,” he said. “Louisiana’s future is brighter than ever. It is an honor to welcome a governor who is helping to make that future a reality.”

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When these groups like The Bucket Brigade and whatnot talk about advocating for “non industrial investment”, I have not seen (maybe I’ve missed it) specifics examples.

Medical centers? There’s been quite a bit of new health and medical facilities pop up in SELA.

What else? Wall Street Fortune 500 companies ain’t relocated their headquarters and big corporate offices to Ascension and St James Parish. Sorry. These industrial facilities that host thousands of job positions for your average South LA adult workforce is what is moving to these parts. Having a huge navigable waterway with lots of frontage for dock access is a huge plus for those parishes, and Louisiana needs to take advantage of that. It’s awesome having more investments and jobs.