FRANKLINTON – Louisiana Economic Development has finalized a $1.2 million FastSites investment that will prime 75 acres at Franklinton Industrial Park for industrial development, supporting expansion by existing businesses and creating additional capacity for new employers in Washington Parish.
“The strongest sites don’t just create space for one project, they create the conditions for continued investment,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “Franklinton Industrial Park already has companies investing and looking to grow. FastSites allows us to build on that momentum by putting the infrastructure in place for existing businesses to expand and more industry to follow.”
The state’s investment will support roadway construction and improvements as well as water and sewer infrastructure across Franklinton Industrial Park. Together, the improvements will expand the amount of development-ready acreage within the park and reduce infrastructure barriers for future projects. Pre-construction and site analysis began this summer, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2027 and be completed by fall 2027.
“The Franklinton Industrial Park represents a tremendous opportunity to bring new jobs, investment and long-term economic growth to our community and rural Washington Parish,” Town of Franklinton Mayor Darwin Sharp said. “Through our partnership with Louisiana Economic Development, the FastSites investment will advance the park’s development readiness and strengthen Franklinton’s ability to compete for future industrial opportunities.”
Located within city limits, Franklinton Industrial Park is an LED Certified Industrial Site with contiguous, subdividable acreage available for development. Situated just off Louisiana Highway 10, the park offers connections to Louisiana Highway 25, Interstate 55, Interstate 12 and Franklinton Airport, along with access to electricity, municipal water, natural gas, sewer, telecommunications and fiber-optic service.
“For families in Washington Parish, economic growth means more opportunities to build a career and a future close to home,” Louisiana State Sen. Beth Mizell said. “This investment can bring new jobs and investment to Franklinton and give our young people more reasons to see their future right here in our community.”
“We already have companies choosing to do business and employ people at Franklinton Industrial Park, and I want to see that success multiplied,” Louisiana State Rep. John Wyble said. “This investment allows us to build from a proven foundation, strengthen our local business base and make Washington Parish a place where more industrial employers can invest and grow.”
Franklinton Industrial Park is home to Acme Machine & Welding LLC, GIS – Grand Isle Shipyard and the Louisiana National Guard Franklinton Readiness Center in partnership with the 205th Engineering Brigade. The FastSites improvements will support opportunities for current tenants to expand while positioning the park to attract companies that can strengthen Washington Parish’s broader industrial supply chain.
“This FastSites investment is a powerful vote of confidence in Franklinton Industrial Park and Washington Parish’s potential for industrial growth,” Washington Parish Economic Development Foundation Executive Director D’Ann Davis said. “Through our partnership with LED, we are transforming a promising site into a competitive, development-ready destination—one capable of attracting significant private investment, creating quality jobs and generating lasting opportunity across our rural communities.”
“This investment strengthens the foundation for companies already investing in Franklinton Industrial Park, including Acme Welding & Fabrication and Gulf Island Fabrication,”President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Michael Hecht said. “Infrastructure like this builds confidence in a location, which brings in new business and helps existing industry grow. The foresight of LED and the Legislature in creating the FastSites program is positioning Greater New Orleans and Louisiana not simply to respond to the next opportunity, but to be ready for it and to win it.”
As part of the FastSites program, the Franklinton Industrial Park investment is structured to return capital to the state as development moves forward. The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement outlines a repayment schedule beginning in September 2027, with full repayment of the $1.2 million investment by 2031. This revolving investment model allows Louisiana to reinvest those funds into future site and infrastructure projects, creating a sustainable pipeline of development-ready sites statewide.
LED will begin accepting applications for the next round of FastSites in October 2026. Information on eligibility and the application process can be found at OpportunityLouisiana.com/fastsites.
About FastSites
FastSites is a Louisiana Economic Development initiative designed to transform land and existing infrastructure into project-ready sites that position Louisiana to compete for new economic development opportunities. Backed by the $200 million Site Investment and Infrastructure Fund created by Act 365 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, FastSites supports proactive site development by investing in infrastructure, due diligence and other readiness activities that reduce time, risk and cost for future projects.
About Greater New Orleans, Inc.
GNO, Inc. is the regional economic development organization for Southeast Louisiana. GNO, Inc.’s mission is to create a Greater New Orleans with a thriving economy and an excellent quality of life, for everyone. More information can be found at www.gnoinc.org.