| ; Chalmette, LA 70044 AREA: Arabi/Chalmette and Violet |
| 06/01/2006 60 Months |
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The proposed project has two phases. The first involves upgrading and expanding the current port facilities in Arabi/Chalmette. The second includes creating a new facility adjacent to the Violet Canal. The combination of these two phases is estimated to generate 1,000 new jobs in St. Bernard Parish. Another benefit is the addition of approximately $150 million in revenue that will be generated by these projects each year.
Prior to the storm, the Port of St Bernard included over 50 companies that employed more than 1,000 workers. After the storm every business had been impacted with wind and/or water damage. Port maritime operations are slowly returning to pre-storm levels. Nearly 95% of all tenants of the port have expressed interest in returning to the intermodal business parks, plus new tenants are inquiring about available rental space to relocate from the Industrial Canal. This project provides the parish an opportunity to not only recoup the businesses that were lost due to the storm but also provide expansion space for new tenants.
Expansion of the port industry is a key element of St. Bernard’s economic recovery. The St. Bernard Port, Harbor, and Terminal District along with MetroVision Economic Development have bundled a number of economic incentives for port development projects, including: below-market lease rates, 10 year industrial tax exemptions, enterprise zone tax credits, quality jobs program, foreign trade zone, inventory tax credit, and workforce development grants. These incentives, along with the upgrade and expansion of the facility in Arabi and the new facility in Violet, will help make St. Bernard Parish a premiere port destination.
The Parish Council and Citizens Recovery Committee have identified this project as one that will have the greatest potential for economic development and recovery for the entire parish. Maritime industry indicates future imports by ocean vessels will double in 15 years in quantity and capacity. 95% of foreign trade enters through our nation’s ports. One in seven jobs (or about 275,000) in Louisiana is port related. Both phases of port project would regain jobs lost and businesses closed due to the storm damage and the closure of the MRGO shipping channel. This project significantly contributes to the vision of providing a diversified economic base. An expanded port would bring new national and international attention to the region and state.
PHASE 1.
This project will develop and expand the industrial park, warehouse and manufacturing sites, at the Chalmette terminal. The following tasks are included as a part of Phase 1:
Create new warehouse and manufacturing areas.
Add new unloading cranes; improve the slip bulkheads, and anchorage.
The following costs are estimated as part of Phase 1:
Infrastructure improvements $3,500,000
Warehousing construction $4,000,000
Unloading equipment $8,500,000
Bulkheads $2,500,000
Rail improvements $3,500,000
The port has just installed 100,000 sq. ft. of asphalt paving.
PHASE 2.
The following tasks are included as part of Phase 2:
Acquire new riverfront site and ancillary land space to create new port site in St. Bernard Parish in the Violet area.
Build new unloading pier, berthing stations, anchorages, and material handling cranes and equipment.
Construct new storage facilities, one additional rail spur, and new industrial park.
The following costs are estimated as part of Phase 2:
-Land acquisition $15,000,000
-EIS studies $2,000,000
-Infrastructure improvements $12,500,000
-Rail improvements $1,500,000
-Engineering $24,000,000
-Unloading equipment $40,000,000
-Levee armament $10,000,000
-Industrial park $30,000,000
-Pier construction $30,000,000
The port would provide economic development for parish and metropolitan region, new jobs, warehouses, and international markets, reaching all segments of community and related businesses.
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