561-acre site is the largest in the region
Lacassine, LA – Today, One Acadiana (1A) in conjunction with the Jeff Davis Economic Development, announced that two sites totaling 704 acres have been certified under the Louisiana Economic Development (LED) Certified Sites program. T.O. Allen Industrial Park North (561 acres) and T.O. Allen Industrial Park South (142 acres) are the first LED Certified Sites to complete the rigorous qualification process and obtain development-ready status in Jeff Davis Parish.
LED Secretary Don Pierson emphasized the marketability of the two sites. “Together, the Allen Estates sites in Jeff Davis Parish offer world-class logistics with access to two Class I rail carriers and multiple interstate and U.S. highway routes,” said Pierson. “Our LED Certified Sites Program provided grant funding to One Acadiana for extensive engineering work leading to this certification… We’re proud to join our partners at One Acadiana and Jeff Davis Parish in adding these certified sites to a Louisiana inventory that ranks among the best in the world.”
Louisiana Economic Development’s Certified Sites program qualifies industrial sites that are at least 25-acres based on zoning restrictions, title work, environmental studies, soil analysis, and surveys. This information is identified and compiled so companies can quickly and easily evaluate the merits of the site. A development-ready certified site either has all utilities and infrastructure in place or has approved engineering plans to provide the utility infrastructure within 180 days.
Jeff Davis Economic Development President & CEO, Marion Fox, noted the certification would not have been possible without strong partnerships. “Partnering with One Acadiana; Jeff Davis Electric; Entergy; and the landowners, Gene and Gayle Godeaux led to the development of the T.O. Allen Industrial Park North and South as 2 distinct Certified Sites. Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission’s staff and board know the potential for development is enhanced by having a Louisiana Certified Site in our parish. This certification proves that partnering is the way to accomplish major goals that will determine future opportunities for our region’s industrial development.”
Through 1A’s site development efforts, certified acreage in Acadiana has increased by 1,522 acres, and inventory now includes seven shovel-ready sites. These sites, many of which are situated along prime transportation intersections, serve as a regional marketing tool and a landing pad for companies seeking to relocate or expand in Acadiana.
1A President & CEO Jason El Koubi added, “With site development being a cornerstone of 1A’s initiatives, this announcement represents substantial progress for Acadiana’s business recruitment efforts. These sites are highly marketable to companies looking to relocate or expand: one is the largest ‘shovel-ready’ site in the region and provides access to the Acadiana’s Class 1 rail lines, and both provide access to Highway 90 and I-10.“
“This certification provides significant momentum around one of 1A’s top priorities of cultivating a portfolio of assets to actively market the region. T.O. Allen Industrial Park North and T.O. Allen Industrial Park South join our portfolio, and we will continue to expand that portfolio throughout 2017,” said Frank Neuner, 1A Chairman and Managing Partner at NeunerPate.
If land owners are interested in learning more about the site certification process to make their property more marketable, contact Zach Hager at Zach@OneAcadiana.org