VINTON, La. (May 21, 2026) — Louisiana Economic Development (LED) has finalized a $5.9 million FastSites investment to advance infrastructure improvements at the Port of Vinton in Calcasieu Parish, strengthening site readiness and positioning Southwest Louisiana to compete for major industrial and logistics projects.
The investment will fund construction of a 600-foot by 50-foot barge berth, including a steel sheet pile bulkhead, access road improvements and a pile-supported concrete crane platform. The upgrades are expected to improve marine access for existing users and expand annual capacity by approximately 20 additional barges.
State officials said the project reflects Louisiana’s broader strategy of proactively preparing industrial sites before project opportunities emerge.
“This project at the Port of Vinton demonstrates how FastSites moves sites from planning to progress by putting critical infrastructure in place when it’s needed,” said Susan B. Bourgeois, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development. “With industrial activity already underway, this investment ensures Louisiana is ready to support new growth, keep projects on track and compete for future investment.”
Located near the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Interstate 10, the publicly owned shallow-water Port of Vinton serves as a strategic logistics and industrial hub for Southwest Louisiana. The site currently offers 14 available tracts totaling more than 600 acres zoned for light and heavy industrial development.
The infrastructure project is also expected to accelerate development plans associated with Aclara Resources and its planned $277 million heavy rare earth separation facility. Officials estimate the investment could shorten the project timeline by approximately two years.
“Louisiana’s ability to operate at the speed of business has been a major advantage for this project,” said Alonso Guzman, U.S. Chief Financial Officer for Aclara Resources. “The FastSites investment is helping accelerate critical site infrastructure, which allowed our team to submit our air permit application ahead of schedule and maintain strong project momentum.”
Port leadership noted that the improvements create additional long-term opportunities for industrial users and strengthen regional competitiveness.
“By expanding marine infrastructure and increasing site readiness, we are creating new opportunities for industry while strengthening our ability to serve both existing and future port users,” said Jerry Merchant, President of the Vinton Harbor & Terminal District. “This investment helps position Port of Vinton for long-term growth and reinforces Southwest Louisiana’s role as a competitive destination for industrial development.”
Construction and site preparation activities are already underway, with project completion anticipated in early 2028.
State and regional leaders highlighted the initiative as an example of coordinated economic development efforts designed to strengthen industrial growth across Southwest Louisiana.
“This project reflects the intent behind the Legislature’s creation of the Site Investment and Infrastructure Improvement Fund,” said Louisiana State Senator Mike Reese. “What makes it especially impactful is the speed and coordination between the public and private sectors to identify a critical need and deliver a solution that will create lasting benefits for Southwest Louisiana.”
“The Aclara project is not only a great addition to the Port of Vinton and surrounding community, but a critical asset to our country as well,” added Louisiana State Representative Les Farnum.
Under the FastSites structure, the Port of Vinton project includes a repayment model designed to return investment capital to the state as development progresses. Officials said the approach creates a sustainable framework that allows Louisiana to continually reinvest funds into future infrastructure and site-readiness initiatives.
“This groundbreaking represents another strategic investment in the long-term growth and diversification of Southwest Louisiana’s industrial economy,” said Scott Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. “This project demonstrates the value of proactive infrastructure investment and what can be achieved when regional and state partners work together around a shared vision.”
The FastSites initiative is backed by Louisiana’s $150 million Site Investment and Infrastructure Fund and is designed to reduce project timelines, lower development risk and increase the number of development-ready sites across the state.
