Project in St. James Parish expected to support 754 new jobs across the Southeast Region to Strengthen U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chain
GRAMERCY, La. — Louisiana has secured an $850 million investment from ElementUSA to develop a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. James Parish, advancing domestic production of materials essential to advanced manufacturing, national defense, and energy technologies.
The project is expected to create 200 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of $90,000, approximately 28% above the average St. James Parish wage. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) estimates the investment will also generate 554 indirect jobs, bringing the total employment impact to 754 new job opportunities across the Southeast Region.
Construction of a demonstration facility is expected to begin in mid-2027, with initial production targeted for the third quarter of 2028.
“ElementUSA’s investment marks a major step in strengthening America’s critical minerals supply chain, and Louisiana is proud to play a leading role in that effort,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “This project advances essential mineral production in the United States and positions Louisiana’s workers and communities at the forefront of a rapidly growing industry. As President Trump has consistently said, strengthening America’s industrial base is a top priority—and Louisiana is delivering the projects that turn that vision into reality.”
Advanced Processing Facility to Support National Security and Manufacturing
ElementUSA will deploy its proprietary extraction technologies to recover gallium, scandium, iron, and other critical minerals from more than 30 million tons of bauxite residue, a byproduct of the alumina refining process. Materials for the project will be sourced from nearby industrial facilities, further strengthening Louisiana’s integrated industrial ecosystem.
Backed by a $29.9 million U.S. Department of War grant, the company will initially construct a demonstration facility to validate its extraction process and inform the design of a future commercial-scale operation.
“We are humbled and energized by the Department of War’s trust in ElementUSA at this pivotal moment for America’s critical minerals landscape,” said Ellis Sullivan, CEO of ElementUSA. “This project in Gramercy will demonstrate how the United States can produce gallium and scandium at scale using innovative extraction technologies—reducing foreign dependence and ensuring our warfighters and industries have reliable access to these strategic materials.”
“Louisiana has supported this effort for more than four years, and that partnership has been instrumental to our progress,” Sullivan added. “With federal support now in place, we can advance our prototype facility and move toward our full-scale vision: a world-class Louisiana plant capable of processing more than one million tons of bauxite residue annually and producing essential minerals that strengthen America’s industrial base and national security.”
Years of Development Culminate in Major Investment Decision
Since announcing its initial plans in 2021, ElementUSA has advanced technology development and site evaluation work at the Gramercy location. Over the past several years, the company has refined its extraction processes and assessed local bauxite residue resources, laying the foundation for this next phase of investment.
“ElementUSA’s investment decision is another clear sign that Louisiana’s strategy is working,” said LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois. “By strengthening our competitiveness, aligning agencies through a whole-of-government approach, and listening directly to companies, we’ve built the conditions that turn interest into investment. This project brings high-quality jobs, new industrial capabilities, and long-term advantages for both Louisiana and the United States.”
Local and Regional Leaders Highlight Community and Economic Impact
“This project represents a significant investment in our community—providing hundreds of new direct and indirect jobs—but it is also an investment in America,” said St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne. “Enhancing the nation’s only alumina processing facility, which supplies roughly 40% of U.S. alumina production, is critical to our country’s future.”
To secure the project, Louisiana offered a competitive incentives package that includes LED FastStart workforce development services and a $6 million performance-based grant for utility and infrastructure improvements. ElementUSA is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
“ElementUSA’s investment in Gramercy is a game-changer for the region,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “It strengthens Louisiana’s role in advanced manufacturing while securing a domestic supply of critical minerals used in defense and high-tech industries. At a time when global supply chains are under pressure, this project ensures the materials America depends on are refined right here in the United States.”
Workforce and Supplier Opportunities
Individuals interested in ElementUSA employment opportunities can register to receive job alerts, hiring event information, and project updates. Louisiana businesses are encouraged to register at SourceLouisiana.com to be considered for vendor and supplier opportunities associated with development projects statewide.
About ElementUSA
ElementUSA Inc. is accelerating America’s access to critical minerals by unlocking overlooked domestic resources and delivering innovative midstream processing infrastructure to support U.S. industry and national defense. The company specializes in recovering essential minerals from both primary and secondary sources, addressing rising demand from sectors including semiconductors, defense, and energy infrastructure.
ElementUSA’s Waste2Market™ approach offers faster, more sustainable alternatives to traditional mining. Central to this effort is the Critical Resource Accelerator (CRA), a research and development hub focused on scalable mineral recovery technologies.
Learn more at www.elementusaminerals.com.
About Louisiana Economic Development
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for driving capital investment, job creation, and economic opportunity across the state. Learn how Louisiana is competing and winning at OpportunityLouisiana.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Emma Wagner
Communications Director, Louisiana Economic Development
Emma.Wagner@la.gov | 912.467.2117
Jacey Wesley
Strategic Communications Manager, Louisiana Economic Development
Jacey.Wesley@la.gov | 225.342.5536
Dan Byrne
Chief Investment Officer, ElementUSA
dan.byrne@element.us.com
