Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin was invited to speak at the River Region Chamber of Commerce (RRCC) general membership meeting held earlier today at Oak Alley plantation. He presented on the state of the Port of South Louisiana during the last year, focusing the audience’s attention on the economic development accomplishments in the River Region.
L-R: RRCC Chair-Elect Annette Wray, RRCC Executive Director, Chassity McComack , Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin, RRCC Board Member Ralph Phillip, and RRCC Board Member Henry Friloux
L-R: RRCC Chair-Elect Annette Wray, RRCC Executive Director, Chassity McComack , Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin, RRCC Board Member Ralph Phillip, and RRCC Board Member Henry Friloux
The economic development departments of St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, and St. James Parishes and of the Port of South Louisiana have historically had a strong relationship and commitment to the region’s growth, working cooperatively on projects to benefit the entire region. For that reason, in 2004, these entities formed the River Region Economic Development Initiative (RREDI) to develop strategies to further economic growth and diversification of the River Region. As fruits of their labor, within the last four years alone, there have been, at least, 18 announced projects that will establish industry and/or expand operations within the river parishes. Companies, which include Yuhuang Chemical, First Bauxite, and Marathon Petroleum, are slated to collectively invest over $25 billion and create over 2,700 direct jobs that offer an average salary (plus benefits) of $76,000. “The world outside of the Port of South Louisiana is discovering what the River Region has to offer and that is location, location, location…plus inexpensive natural gas, and generous economic incentives,” said Aucoin. Aucoin also announced during the meeting that the Port of South Louisiana has been the recipient of an Excellence in Economic Development Award in 2015 from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for its quarterly publication, the PortLog. “I am very proud of the Port,” said Aucoin, “particularly the department of business development, and Renaissance Publishing, our publisher, for being recognized with this special award. Fortunately, we have a lot of exciting things happening at the Port of South Louisiana that we can share with readers.”