BATON ROUGE, La. — Jeff Landry on Tuesday announced 19 sites across 16 parishes selected for the inaugural round of the state’s FastSites program, marking what officials described as the largest coordinated site investment effort in Louisiana history.
The initiative is backed by the $150 million Site Investment and Infrastructure Fund established through Act 365 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session. The program is structured as a revolving capital fund aimed at preparing industrial sites in advance of recruitment efforts for advanced manufacturing, logistics, energy innovation and other next-generation industries.
“This isn’t economic development as usual. FastSites turns site preparation into a revolving investment and ensures public dollars don’t disappear, but instead work, return and work again,” Landry said. “That approach allows us to continually reinvest in Louisiana’s growth and strengthen our competitive position. Louisiana is not waiting for opportunity. We are preparing for it.”
Under the model, the state invests in infrastructure, utilities, transportation access and due diligence work needed to make sites development-ready. When properties are sold or leased and development proceeds, the state recoups its investment and redeploys the funds into additional projects.
Susan B. Bourgeois, secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, said the program addresses barriers that can cause companies to bypass the state.
“FastSites reflects Louisiana’s commitment to solving challenges before they cost us projects,” Bourgeois said. “In today’s environment, if utilities, rail, roads or due diligence aren’t in place, companies simply move on. FastSites allows us to eliminate those barriers in advance and present Louisiana as truly project-ready.”
The 19 sites advancing in the first round include:
- Acadiana Regional Airport, Iberia Parish
- ARQ Red River, Red River Parish
- Avondale Global Gateway, Jefferson Parish
- Beaver Lake Industrial Park, Rapides Parish
- England Airpark, Rapides Parish
- Esperanza, St. Charles Parish
- Franklinton Industrial Park, Washington Parish
- Gulf South Commerce Park, St. Tammany Parish
- Lake Charles Regional Airport, Calcasieu Parish
- McLeod Business Park, Lafourche Parish
- Natchitoches Parish Port Warehouse, Natchitoches Parish
- Naval Support Activity Site, Orleans Parish
- Port Distran, Rapides Parish
- Port of Caddo Bossier, Caddo Parish
- Port of Columbia, Caldwell Parish
- Port Vinton, Calcasieu Parish
- Riverplex MegaPark Port, Ascension Parish
- ScaleBTR, East Baton Rouge Parish
- South Monroe Industrial Park, Ouachita Parish
Cameron Henry, president of the Louisiana Senate, said the revolving structure is designed to protect public funds.
“This fund was designed to ensure public dollars are invested responsibly and returned to the State, not spent once and gone,” Henry said. “Preparing sites before industry calls gives Louisiana a competitive advantage, and because these funds revolve back into future projects, this becomes a long-term tool for sustainable growth.”
Phillip DeVillier, speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, said other states have made site readiness a priority.
“Across the country, states are investing in site readiness to attract major projects,” DeVillier said. “For too long, Louisiana has been behind the game, but FastSites changes that by not only getting us in the game, but leading it through a smart approach. This program ensures Louisiana can compete and win the projects that create jobs for our people.”
Landon Lemoine, LED director of strategic investments, said the program is structured to support large-scale industrial recruitment.
“Nationally competitive states treat site readiness as a capital strategy, not a grant program,” Lemoine said. “FastSites is structured to protect taxpayer dollars while giving Louisiana the speed, certainty and credibility required to compete for multi-billion-dollar projects. By revolving capital back into the fund, we are building a disciplined, long-term asset portfolio that strengthens our position in front of developers, site selectors and the finance community.”
State officials said additional site-specific announcements and funding allocations will be released as Cooperative Endeavor Agreements are finalized over the next six months.