KEY TAKEAWAYS: NovaSpark Energy plans a $30 million investment in Louisiana, including a new manufacturing facility in Houma and expansion of its West Monroe operations. The project is expected to create 300 direct jobs and 318 indirect jobs, totaling 618 potential new positions statewide. The Houma facility will manufacture atmospheric hydrogen generators for data centers, EV charging networks and other critical infrastructure applications. State officials say the expansion strengthens Louisiana’s position in advanced energy manufacturing and defense-related technology development.   NovaSpark Energy plans to expand its Louisiana operations with a $30 million manufacturing facility in Houma and an expansion of its West Monroe headquarters, a project expected to create more than 600 direct and indirect jobs statewide. The sustainable energy technology company announced the investment June 4, saying the expansion will increase production of its atmospheric hydrogen generators for defense, energy and critical infrastructure applications. Combined, the projects are expected to create 300 direct jobs and retain three existing positions. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the investment will support an additional 318 indirect jobs, bringing the total potential employment impact to 618 positions across the Bayou and Northeast regions. The new jobs will carry an average annual salary of about $76,000, roughly 25% higher than Louisiana’s average wage, according to state officials. NovaSpark’s largest investment will be in Terrebonne Parish, where the company plans to build a new manufacturing facility in Houma focused on commercial-scale production of its atmospheric hydrogen generators. The company said the facility will support applications including backup power systems for data centers, Level 3 electric vehicle charging networks and other distributed energy projects. The Houma project is expected to create 240 direct jobs. State economic development officials estimate it will generate an additional 254 indirect jobs in the Bayou Region. Site selection, permitting and design work are scheduled to begin in mid-2026, with construction to follow and operations expected to start in 2027. In Ouachita Parish, NovaSpark will expand its existing West Monroe operations, which serve as a production and development center for defense and military applications. The expansion is expected to create 60 direct jobs while retaining three existing positions. State officials estimate the project will generate another 64 indirect jobs in Northeast Louisiana. Construction on the West Monroe expansion began in April and operations are expected to commence in 2027. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois said the project strengthens the state’s position in advanced energy manufacturing while supporting defense-related technologies and emerging energy markets. NovaSpark’s hydrogen generation technology produces hydrogen on-site using air and water, eliminating the need for traditional fuel transportation and storage. The company says the systems are designed to improve energy reliability and security in remote, military and critical infrastructure settings. “Louisiana offers a unique combination of energy leadership, industrial infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce that makes it an ideal location for NovaSpark’s next phase of growth,” NovaSpark CEO Rick Harlow said. “With our expansion in Houma, we’re not only scaling production of our atmospheric hydrogen generators, but also strengthening America’s ability to deliver resilient, on-site energy for critical infrastructure and national defense.” ...read more read less