Louisiana Secures Back-to-Back Platinum Deal of the Year Awards, Marking a New Era of National Competitiveness

Louisiana has secured Business Facilities magazine’s prestigious Platinum Deal of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, a first in the award’s history and a clear signal that the state has entered a new era of national economic competitiveness.

In early January 2026, Business Facilities named Hyundai Steel’s $5.8 billion investment in Ascension Parish as the Platinum Deal of the Year for 2025, recognizing it as the most significant economic development project announced anywhere in the United States last year. The honor follows Louisiana’s 2024 Platinum Deal of the Year award for landing Meta’s $10 billion AI data center project in Richland Parish, giving the state back-to-back wins at the highest level of national site-selection recognition.

Together, the two projects highlight Louisiana’s growing ability to compete for and win transformational investments in advanced manufacturing, technology, and energy-intensive industries. State leaders say the consecutive awards reflect years of work to strengthen the business climate, invest in workforce development, and streamline the process for companies looking to build and expand.

Hyundai Steel’s project will bring an ultra-low-carbon steel mill to a 1,700-acre site at the RiverPlex MegaPark in Donaldsonville. Announced at the White House in March 2025, the facility is expected to create more than 5,400 jobs across construction, operations, and related supply-chain activity, delivering a major economic boost to the Capital Region and surrounding parishes.

To support the project, Louisiana is working with regional partners, including River Parishes Community College, to develop customized workforce training programs focused on advanced manufacturing skills. State and local economic development officials view the project not only as a major employer but also as a catalyst for long-term industrial growth and innovation.

Economic development leaders note that these wins did not happen overnight. The Hyundai Steel project, in particular, was the result of more than a decade of collaboration between state officials, local leaders, and economic development organizations working to position Louisiana as a competitive destination for global manufacturers.

State officials say the consecutive Platinum Deal awards represent a turning point in how Louisiana is perceived by site selectors and investors nationwide. Rather than being seen as a long-shot contender, the state is increasingly viewed as a place that can deliver on complex, large-scale projects.

Coming off a record year for investment and job creation in 2025, Louisiana is entering 2026 with significant momentum. Back-to-back recognition as home to the nation’s top economic development projects reinforces the message that Louisiana is no longer just competing — it is winning — and is poised for sustained growth in the years ahead.