Transformation of Lake Charles borne of adversity

Lake Charles

Southwest Louisiana has proved that it can take challenges in stride, reports Site Selection magazine. Nearly 20 years ago, much of the region needed to be rebuilt and reimagined after the devastation of Hurricane Rita in October 2005. Then, in 2020-2021, they were dealt with four consecutive blows from hurricanes Laura and Delta, an ice storm and widespread flood — all during an international pandemic.

Despite these setbacks, from 2012 to 2021 workers in Southwest Louisiana built a total of 55 large-scale industrial projects that amounted to $48.13 billion in capital investment. The booming LNG market caused a surge in industrial construction that continues to this day across the five-parish region.

Another 16 industrial projects totaling $7.1 billion in investment are under construction throughout the region, according to the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (SWLA EDA). Read the entire story.