Gov. Jeff Landry on Tuesday announced the first phase of a new economic development initiative aimed at strengthening Louisiana’s ability to compete for major projects.
The first stage of the initiative, called FastSites, will see $140 million invested in 19 sites across the state to ensure they’re “shovel ready.” Having a bevy of development-ready sites will better position the state to attract major corporate investments, the governor said.
Landry framed the program as a much-needed upgrade to the way Louisiana has historically approached economic development.
“For far too long, Louisiana has waited until a company called before getting a site ready. … FastSites actually changes that,” Landry said. “Instead of waiting, we prepare the land ahead of time.”
Under the program, the state will invest upfront in site preparation—think electricity, water, roads and rail access—to ensure the locations are attractive to companies evaluating potential expansion or relocation sites.
The program is funded through the Site Investment and Infrastructure Improvement Fund, a revolving fund created by Act 365 of the 2025 regular legislative session.
Landry said the model allows the state to reuse capital over time. When a company buys or leases a prepared site, the funds invested in preparing that site are funneled back into the fund to be used to prepare additional sites.
Of the 19 sites being advanced in the first round of funding, two are in the Capital Region:
- Proof Works (East Baton Rouge Parish): Located at the former Tin Roof Brewery site off Nicholson Drive, Proof Works will serve as an “advanced prototyping and commercialization hub” designed to support local tech startups. Read more here.
- RiverPlex MegaPark Port (Ascension Parish): The 17,000-acre RiverPlex MegaPark has attracted a number of major projects in recent years, including Hyundai’s $5.8 billion steel plant and CF Industries’ $4 billion low-carbon ammonia facility.
“When companies look at states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia or Ohio, they don’t have a lot of time, because time is money,” Landry said. “If the land isn’t ready, they just scratch it off the list.”
A full list of the 19 investments announced Tuesday can be found here.
