KEY TAKEAWAYS: LED selects 19 industrial sites in 16 parishes for inaugural FastSites round. $150 million revolving fund backs infrastructure and site preparation. Program created under Act 365 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session. Goal is to attract large-scale projects in manufacturing, l ogistics and energy sectors.   Louisiana Economic Development has selected 19 industrial sites across 16 parishes for its inaugural FastSites round, launching what state officials describe as the largest coordinated site investment effort in Louisiana history. The announcement, made Tuesday by LED and backed by Gov. Jeff Landry and legislative leaders, marks the rollout of a $150 million state fund aimed at preparing industrial properties for large-scale projects before companies formally announce expansion plans. Through the FastSites program, the state will invest in infrastructure and site preparation using a revolving capital model created under Act 365 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session. As sites are sold or leased and development advances, the state expects to recoup its investment and reinvest the proceeds into future projects. “This isn’t economic development as usual. FastSites turns site preparation into a revolving investment and ensures public dollars don’t disappear, but instead work, return and work again,” Landry said in a statement. The 19 sites vary in size and geography and are positioned to support industries such as advanced manufacturing, logistics and distribution, energy innovation and other targeted sectors. LED officials said sites were chosen through a competitive process evaluating market readiness, infrastructure needs, timelines and the ability to repay state funds as development occurs. “FastSites reflects Louisiana’s commitment to solving challenges before they cost us projects,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “In today’s environment, if utilities, rail, roads or due diligence aren’t in place, companies simply move on.” Sites selected in the first round include properties at Acadiana Regional Airport in Iberia Parish; Avondale Global Gateway in Jefferson Parish; England Airpark and Beaver Lake Industrial Park in Rapides Parish; Gulf South Commerce Park in St. Tammany Parish; the Port of Caddo Bossier in Caddo Parish; Riverplex MegaPark Port in Ascension Parish; and the Naval Support Activity Site in Orleans Parish, among others. Investments may fund rail and road access improvements, utility extensions, environmental remediation, demolition and other due diligence work designed to shorten construction timelines and reduce risk for private developers. Lawmakers who supported the fund said the approach is intended to strengthen Louisiana’s competitive position nationally. “This fund was designed to ensure public dollars are invested responsibly and returned to the State, not spent once and gone,” said Senate President Cameron Henry. “Preparing sites before industry calls gives Louisiana a competitive advantage.” House Speaker Phillip DeVillier said other states have moved aggressively to prepare industrial sites in advance of corporate recruitment efforts and that Louisiana had lagged behind in recent years. “FastSites changes that by not only getting us in the game, but leading it through a smart approach,” DeVillier said. LED Director of Strategic Investments Landon Lemoine said the structure is meant to appeal to developers, site selectors and financial institutions evaluating multibillion-dollar projects. “Nationally competitive states treat site readiness as a capital strategy, not a grant program,” Lemoine said. “By revolving capital back into the fund, we are building a disciplined, long-term asset portfolio.” Additional announcements, including site-specific funding amounts, are expected over the next six months as cooperative agreements are finalized, according to LED. State officials say the broader goal is to create a sustainable pipeline of development-ready properties that can attract large-scale investments and new jobs across Louisiana’s industrial corridor and rural communities alike. ...read more read less