LOCAL

Ascension Parish receives $2.3 million federal grant for infrastructure at RiverPlex MegaPark near Donaldsonville

Michael Tortorich
Gonzales Weekly Citizen

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the department’s Economic Development Administration has awarded a $2.3 million grant to Ascension Parish government for roadway infrastructure improvements at the RiverPlex MegaPark near Donaldsonville.

According to an EDA news release, the grant will support clean energy business growth in the area.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo is shown announcing a grant at a Samsung semiconductor plant in Texas April 16.

EDA's investment will be matched with $586,857 in local funds and is expected to create more than 450 jobs and generate $9.5 billion in private investment, per grantee estimates.

"President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is a commitment to ensuring that communities in Louisiana and across the country have the resources needed to grow strong, resilient regional economies," Raimondo said in the announcement. "This EDA investment will increase growth in the clean energy sector, create quality, high-paying jobs, and increase economic opportunity for workers in the region."

Congressman Troy Carter, who represents parts of the area, said in the release the grant "represents a significant commitment from the federal government to foster clean energy business growth in Louisiana."

"This forward-looking approach to economic resilience emphasizes regional collaboration and the EDA’s commitment to sustainable development and job creation," Carter said in the announcement.

The Capital Region Planning Commission led the regional planning efforts for the project, according to the release.

It was funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance Program funds for disaster relief.

What is the RiverPlex MegaPark?

According to Ascension Economic Development Corp., the RiverPlex MegaPark spans about 17,000 acres along the west bank of the Mississippi River just northwest of the City of Donaldsonville.

Located in the Baton Rouge metropolitan region, the site is in the industrial corridor near major companies, such as CF Industries, BASF, Honeywell, Terra and Air Products.

AEDC has touted the available land for fast development in the southeastern Louisiana area, offering such as advantages as utility infrastructure, suitability for dock construction, rail access and an available workforce.

As pointed out by AEDC, the site's advantages include:

  • Proximity to the Sunshine Bridge (Hwy. 70 being expanded to a four-lane highway to Sorrento at Interstate 10).
  • Within the jurisdiction of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge with access to bond financing.
  • The southeastern section of the site has been reviewed by the NOBRA River Pilots Association for dock construction.
  • Union Pacific rail line located a mile from site.
  • Water provided by a rural cooperative.
  • Gas pipeline on property.
  • Site serviced by existing electrical distribution dual feeds.
  • Located less than two miles from the Donaldsonville Technology and Industrial Park, a 60-acre commercial park along Hwy. 70.

Gonzales Weekly Citizen and Donaldsonville Chief, part of the USA Today Network of Louisiana, cover Ascension Parish and the greater Baton Rouge area. Follow at facebook.com/WeeklyCitizen and facebook.com/DonaldsonvilleChief.