Louisiana Secures ElementUSA’s $850 Million Investment, Strengthening the State’s Economy and America’s Critical Minerals Supply Chain

Louisiana has secured another major industrial investment with national significance. ElementUSA’s decision to invest $850 million in a rare earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. John Parish marks an important milestone for the state’s economy and its expanding role in strengthening America’s domestic supply chains.

The project is expected to create 200 direct jobs with an average annual salary of $90,000, nearly 30 percent above the average wage in St. John Parish. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the investment will also generate an additional 554 indirect jobs, bringing the total employment impact to 754 new opportunities across the Southeast Region. Construction of a demonstration facility is expected to begin in 2027, with initial production targeted for 2028.

ElementUSA will use proprietary extraction technology to recover gallium, scandium, iron, and other critical minerals from bauxite residue, a byproduct of alumina refining. These materials are essential to advanced manufacturing, national defense, and energy technologies. By processing these minerals domestically, the project will reduce reliance on foreign supply chains while strengthening the Gulf Coast’s role as a hub for advanced industrial production.

Governor Jeff Landry said the investment highlights Louisiana’s ability to support projects that align economic growth with national priorities. He noted that strengthening domestic mineral production is critical to America’s industrial base and long-term security, and that Louisiana’s workforce and infrastructure are well positioned to support that effort.

Beyond direct job creation, projects of this scale deliver broader economic benefits by supporting local contractors, suppliers, logistics firms, and service providers. They also expand the state’s industrial capabilities in sectors that are expected to grow in importance over the coming decades.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said ElementUSA’s investment reflects the state’s progress in building a competitive environment for advanced industry. She pointed to coordinated state efforts, workforce development programs, and infrastructure investments as key factors that helped move the project from interest to commitment.

To secure the project, Louisiana offered a competitive incentives package that includes LED FastStart workforce development solutions, a $6 million performance-based grant for utility and infrastructure improvements, and participation in the Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs. These tools are designed to support growth while delivering long-term returns through sustained employment and industrial activity.

Economic development leaders say ElementUSA’s announcement fits into a broader pattern of high-value investments choosing Louisiana as a base for operations. Recent projects in energy, maritime manufacturing, and advanced technology highlight the state’s ability to compete for capital-intensive developments that create high-paying jobs and strengthen regional economies.

Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., said the project demonstrates Louisiana’s growing reputation as a place where complex, strategic investments can be executed efficiently. At a time of heightened global supply chain uncertainty, he noted, ElementUSA’s facility will help ensure critical materials are produced in the United States while reinforcing Louisiana’s position in advanced manufacturing.

Local leaders also emphasized the long-term impact on the Southeast Region. Parish officials described the project as a generational investment that will support families, expand career pathways, and contribute to sustained economic momentum in the River Parishes area.

ElementUSA’s planned demonstration facility will support validation of its extraction process and guide the design of a future commercial-scale plant capable of processing more than one million tons of bauxite residue annually. The company has spent several years advancing its technology and development work at the Gramercy site, laying the foundation for this next phase of investment.

As Louisiana continues to attract major projects tied to national priorities, ElementUSA’s investment underscores how the state’s traditional industrial strengths are being paired with innovation to drive long-term economic growth. With construction expected to begin in 2027 and production following in 2028, the project represents both an immediate economic win and a strategic investment in Louisiana’s future.