Mega Projects’ Impacts Cross State Lines

Demonstrating the strong economic ties within the Gulf Coast region and its contributions to the competitive edge of the southeastern U.S., Hyundai Motor Group is planning a $6 billion steel mill in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, approximately 30 minutes from Baton Rouge, to supply its U.S. plants in Montgomery, Alabama, and West Point, Georgia, which produce over 600,000 vehicles annually.

Mississippi Coast Poised for Industrial Growth under New Management

Under new Executive Director Bo Ethridge, Port Pascagoula is in its second year of rebranding to attract new businesses and expand its logistics, manufacturing and industrial base. Ranked No. 27 nationally with 32 million tons annually and 1,400 vessel calls, over 300 acres are available for development, including ship and barge sites, industrial parks, and an airport park. This pro-business port supports Pascagoula’s shipbuilding industry, including Bollinger Shipyards and Huntington Ingalls. Additionally, Pascagoula hosts Chevron's largest U.S. refinery, employing over 3,000 people.

Development Project Spotlight

The highlighted project of the quarter is the RailPort Logistics development in Mobile, Alabama. Scannell Properties broke ground in November 2024 on Phase I of this 4.7 million-square-foot, 500-plus-acre industrial park. The site has earned the Platinum CSX Select Site designation, indicating it is shovel-ready on the CSX rail network. It offers competitive rail service, aligning with Port of Mobile’s growing operational and commercial successes.

Bill Linville, managing director of Scannell Properties, said, “The park will be particularly appealing to companies that use both container shipping and rail service in their businesses. That could be refrigerated food products, dry goods, and some manufacturing too, because of the rail connection and the heavy power located here.”

Gulf Coast Leads Energy Transition

Several Gulf Coast LNG projects have reached milestones, including:

Venture Global LNG, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

First commissioned cargo was exported December 26 en route to Germany, commencing commercial operations for this more than $21 billion facility. Celebrating this achievement is its port partner, Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District.

Gulfstream LNG, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Led by CEO Vivek Chandra, Ph.D., Gulfstream LNG is a planned $3-plus billion export facility located on private property approximately 10 miles from Venture Global’s Plaquemines Terminal. It is the first new greenfield LNG facility actively going through the federal permitting process in the last five years, with a lease on 420 acres featuring over 50-foot water depth and pipeline connectivity. This is Chandra’s second LNG export venture, following his role as founder and CEO of Texas LNG until 2022.