Annual

Report

2021

2021 was a milestone year for business investment and job creation in Louisiana. It was also a year when the state’s economic versatility was on full display. Business success in Louisiana is powered by global access to international markets, an engaged system of colleges and universities, abundant natural resources, critical infrastructure and a world-class workforce. While businesses succeed, Louisiana leads, forging a new model for a sustainable future that will drive equity, diversity and additional investment.

LED overcame historic challenges to deliver exceptional results for our state.”

A LETTER FROM GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS

Louisiana’s 2021 economic successes proved yet again that when our state meets challenges head-on, exceptional opportunity results.


We can all be proud of Louisiana Economic Development’s determination to light the way for our prosperity, securing over $20.5 billion in capital investment and thousands of new jobs for our citizens in 2021. In step with partners across the state, nation and world, LED overcame historic pandemic- and weather-related challenges to deliver exceptional results for our state.


This annual report outlines these many accomplishments, including initiatives that are driving a cleaner energy future and innovative advancements that further define us as an important global hub of commerce. It also highlights LED FastStart, recognized as the top workforce training program in the nation for 12 consecutive years.


As we’ve pledged through our climate and community initiatives, we are preparing ourselves for a long, sustainable future that creates economic opportunity for all Louisiana residents, no matter what their background or what part of the state they live in.


I salute all the owners and employees of Louisiana businesses large and small whose hard work and ingenuity are the foundation of our state’s long-term economic development success.


John Bel Edwards

Governor, State of Louisiana

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The more than 18,000 new jobs created are among the most ever in a single year.”

A LETTER FROM SECRETARY DON PIERSON

2021 was a remarkable year for Louisiana Economic Development and a clear signal that local, regional and state efforts to strengthen our business climate are accelerating our growth.

 

Proof of Louisiana’s numerous business advantages can be found in multiple investment announcements across a wide range of industry sectors. It can be found in the multi-billion dollar energy investments made by major global corporations, and in the hundreds of entrepreneurs participating in business empowerment programs for veterans, women and minorities and rural communities.

 

The influx of thousands of new jobs for Louisiana residents across the state stands as our proudest achievement from 2021. The more than 18,000 new direct and indirect jobs created are among the most ever in a single year for LED. 

 

None of this would be possible without the leadership of Gov. John Bel Edwards, the collaboration of our economic development partners across the state, the commitment of statewide political leaders, the creativity of our education partners and the unwavering resilience of the citizens of our state. We thank you for your partnership, which produced the transformational accomplishments of 2021, and look forward to building on that momentum in 2022 and for years to come.


Don Pierson

Secretary, Louisiana Economic Development

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Dec 2, 2021

$10 Billion

Venture Global

200

New Direct Jobs

867

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Oct 14, 2021

$4.5 Billion

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

170

New Direct Jobs

413

New Indirect Jobs

334

Retained Jobs

Jan 26, 2021

$1.25 Billion

Shintech Louisiana, LLC

30

New Direct Jobs

129

New Indirect Jobs

265

Retained Jobs

Mar 5, 2021

$800 Million

ElementUS

200

New Direct Jobs

590

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Apr 23, 2021

$700 Million

Louisiana Green Fuels

76

New Direct Jobs

412

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Jun 24, 2021

$550 Million

Chalmette Refining

20

New Direct Jobs

90

New Indirect Jobs

516

Retained Jobs

Dec 16, 2021

$550 Million

Bia Energy Operating Company

75

New Direct Jobs

390

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Jul 26, 2021

$240 Million

Hunt Forest Products, Inc.

130

New Direct Jobs

387

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

May 7, 2021

$200 Million

Amazon.com

1000

New Direct Jobs

1118

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Jun 16, 2021

$200 Million

Amazon.com

1000

New Direct Jobs

1139

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Jun 30, 2021

$170 Million

BioLab

82

New Direct Jobs

231

New Indirect Jobs

19

Retained Jobs

Jun 8, 2021

$161 Million

Canfor Southern Pine

130

New Direct Jobs

386

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

May 12, 2021

$157 Million

Weyerhaeuser Company

4

New Direct Jobs

12

New Indirect Jobs

119

Retained Jobs

May 3, 2021

$151 Million

SafeSource Direct, LLC

245

New Direct Jobs

199

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Dec 16, 2021

$110.5 Million

Teal Jones Group

125

New Direct Jobs

369

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Dec 17, 2021

$98 Million

Ternium

35

New Direct Jobs

98

New Indirect Jobs

157

Retained Jobs

Jun 28, 2021

$70 Million

Delta Biofuel

126

New Direct Jobs

149

New Indirect Jobs

0

Retained Jobs

Nov 18, 2021

$60 Million

Intralox, Inc.

425

New Direct Jobs

582

New Indirect Jobs

187

Retained Jobs

Jan 21, 2021

$52.2 Million

International Paper

0

New Direct Jobs

0

New Indirect Jobs

492

Retained Jobs

Apr 6, 2021

$42.3 Million

Lineage Logistics

30

New Direct Jobs

34

New Indirect Jobs

105

Retained Jobs

Regional Highlights

Acadiana

Bayou

Capital

Central

Northeast

Northwest

Southeast

Southwest

$70 Million

renewable fuel plant announced by Delta BioFuel

Over 1,200 new direct jobs through SafeSource Direct and Ochsner Health PPE production facilities

$3.5 million acquisition and expansion by Coastal Plains Meat Company

Alexander/Ryan Marine & Safety invests in Houma logistics hub

Nicholls receives award for filmmaker training through LED’s Entertainment Development Fund

Innovative virus genome sequencing by Thibodaux-based BioInfoExperts leads virus research

$4.5 Billion

clean energy complex announced by Air Products

$200 million Amazon facility to create over 1,000 full-time jobs

$1.3 billion Shintech expansion to result in 159 new direct, indirect jobs

250

regional AFCO Industries employees celebrate company's 75th anniversary

USDA grant to expand Louisiana Central’s Farmer Training Program

Avant Organics launching manufacturing site at Central Louisiana Port

$700 Million

renewable diesel refinery announced by Louisiana Green Fuels

Lamb Weston completes installation of potato products packaging line

Biomedical Research and Innovation Park announced for ULM campus

$550 Million

blue methanol plant planned by Bia Energy

$98 million investment from steel manufacturer Ternium USA

$200 million Amazon facility to locate on LED Certified Site

$800 Million

rare earth elements project announced by ElementUS

Intralox investing $60 million, creating 425 direct jobs in major expansion

Possibility Space video game studio to create 75 new direct jobs with $100K average salary

$10 Billion

LNG, CCUS facility being developed by Venture Global

$160 million lumber mill announced by Canfor

$170 million chlorine manufacturing plant being built by BioLab

Business Climate

Louisiana’s foundational business strengths Include:

Sector diversity: A stalwart for energy, diversified through advanced manufacturing, software development, information technology, agribusiness and entertainment

Natural resources: Advantages in natural gas, timber, salt and rare earth materials

Higher-ed partnerships: Tomorrow’s workforce preparing today

Modern innovation: Advances in life sciences, digital media, cutting-edge port technology and “America’s Rocket Factory”

Commitment to environmental sustainability: An "all of the above" energy transition strategy that increases investment while reducing emissions

Infrastructure advantages: Superior logistics and the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico

2021 Annual Report table of contents:

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