Expansion Management

Louisiana New Home to $1.3 Billion Methanol Plant

Feb. 28, 2013

South Louisiana Methanol LP announced on Thursday that it will invest $1.3 billion in a new methanol production facility on the banks of the Mississippi River. Located across the river from the Nucor Corp. project in Convent, La., the South Louisiana Methanol project will create 63 new direct jobs with an additional 374 new indirect jobs.

Austin, Texas-based Zero Emission Energy Plant Ltd., or ZEEP, and New Zealand-based Todd Corp. are joint owners of the project.

Methanol is used by manufacturers to produce everyday goods, such as plastics, polyester fibers and fabrics, pesticides, fuel additives, pharmaceuticals and adhesives for the wood products industry.

Part of the reason ZEEP and Todd Corp. chose St. James Parish is for the strategic shipping location at the Port of South Louisiana – the largest port in the Western Hemisphere by capacity. Since 2008, more than $32 million in investments and upgrades have been made to the port.

“The inexpensive price and high inventories of natural gas in Louisiana – coupled with our incomparable workforce and strong business climate – helped make it clear to South Louisiana Methanol that Louisiana is the best place to invest and create jobs, “ said Gov. Bobby Jindal.

To secure the project, the state will offer an incentive package that includes a $5 million performance-based grant for infrastructure costs, and the services of Louisiana's workforce development program, LED FastStart. In addition, the company is expected to utilize the state's Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.