ALEXANDRIA, La. — Louisiana Economic Development has finalized more than $4.5 million in FastSites funding for projects at the Central Louisiana Regional Port and Natchitoches Parish Port, adding space for manufacturing, storage and logistics. The port partners will repay the funds for use in future projects, according to the agency.
Nearly $2 million will help build a 10-acre heavy-load hardstand at the Central Louisiana Regional Port. The paved area is part of a 71.8-acre manufacturing and logistics campus being developed to support DisTran Packaged Substations. It will provide room to receive, store and stage materials and finished products as the company expands.
More than half the hardstand was complete by mid-August, and finished sections were already in use. The remaining work is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.
The Natchitoches Parish Port in Campti will receive $2.55 million for site grading and additional warehouse space. The project is expected to nearly double the port’s existing 62,000 square feet of warehouse capacity. Construction is anticipated to begin late this year and finish in 2027.
The state’s FastSites fund now totals $200 million following an additional $50 million appropriation. Its next application period opens Oct. 1. (Louisiana Economic Development)