Gov. Edwards Highlights Certification Of Terrebonne Parish Industrial Sites

SCHRIEVER, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards highlighted the certification of two LED Certified Sites in Terrebonne Parish, where the Rebecca North and Rebecca South sites offer nearly 1,000 combined acres for additional industrial development along U.S. Highway 90 near Fletcher Technical Community College.

Louisiana’s LED Certified Sites program has surpassed the milestone of 100 certified sites, with Louisiana’s 108 sites representing one of the largest inventories of state-sponsored industrial sites in the U.S. LED certifies industrial sites after an extensive application process and rigorous review by an independent, third-party engineering firm. Benefits include official acknowledgment of a site’s suitability and readiness, and improved opportunity in the site selection process for new investments.

“A huge part of being prepared for industrial growth and attracting major new investments relies upon having great sites for business and industrial development,” Gov. Edwards said. “Through the LED Certified Sites program, we offer extraordinary locations for economic development all across Louisiana. We’re excited to unveil these new sites in Terrebonne Parish, which represent a great opportunity for growing the Bayou Region economy and creating new jobs.”

In Terrebonne Parish, the Rebecca North Development Park offers 700 acres for economic development while the Rebecca South Development Park includes 234 acres, which have been partially developed for industrial park use with utility infrastructure in place.

The Rebecca Development sites in Terrebonne Parish’s Schriever community feature some of the highest, most-desirable land in the Bayou Region. Since 2005, neighboring property has attracted multiple corporate residents, including BP America, Hunting Energy Services, K&B Industries and an educational institution, Fletcher Technical Community College, where the announcement of the two new LED Certified Sites was made Wednesday.

“We appreciate the opportunity to join LED’s Certified Sites program,” Parish President Gordon Dove said. “We have a lot to offer in Terrebonne Parish, and these locations are well-suited for the kind of economic development we want to see. With the help of these Certified Sites, we are looking forward to attracting more good companies and quality jobs here.”

Recently, Rouses Markets announced its purchase of the former Weatherford facilities at an earlier Rebecca Development site converted for industrial use. The grocery company will renovate those facilities into a new corporate office and distribution center. Its opening is anticipated by early 2020 and will lead to several hundred jobs.

The Rebecca Development site has been important historically to Terrebonne’s economy through agricultural uses. Originally cultivated for sweet potatoes, the area has been farmed for sugarcane since the 1850s. That effort continues today on the undeveloped acreage.

“As sugarcane producers, we do not relish the thought of taking land out of agricultural production, but we also recognize the economic potential and the importance of industrial development to our community and especially to Terrebonne Parish,” said Jake Giardina, a Rebecca Development partner. “When we look back on the industrial complexes located on Rebecca, these sites now employ approximately 700 people and serve 2,300 community college students. By being pre-certified as an industrial complex site, this means companies can save as much as a year’s time in development, since all the necessary due diligence work is done and certified by the state. We at Rebecca are very happy to be a part of this, and very thankful for the cooperation by the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority, Entergy and the state.”

“When vying for industrial recruitment projects, particularly in terms of working to diversify the local economy, having development-ready sites is crucial to our competitiveness,” said Matthew Rookard, TEDA’s chief executive officer. “As the first LED Certified Site in Terrebonne Parish, we hope that it serves as a model and can be replicated with other properties in Terrebonne Parish. We appreciate Louisiana Economic Development, Entergy Corporation, and Rebecca Development for investing in Terrebonne Parish’s assets through the LED Certified Sites program to help the parish become more competitive.”

“As one of the most desirable and marketable industrial sites topping Louisiana Economic Development’s Certified Sites list, the work of Rebecca Development and TEDA ensures this property is not only marketable, but ‘shovel ready’ for business,” said President and CEO Vic Lafont of the South Louisiana Economic Council.

To learn more about the LED Certified Sites program and process, visit OpportunityLouisiana.com/Sites.