The Port of South Louisiana is making a series of infrastructure pushes currently, having just opened its first transient hangar at the Executive Regional Airport and currently working with Dow St. Charles to build a new railroad.
The airport expanded services for large corporate and business aircraft–something Executive Director Paul Aucoin says represents a push for the airport to become full-service. It was self-funded, costing a total of $739,000 since construction began in the summer last year.
“It’s the first hangar constructed on the airfield that is operated by the Port of South Louisiana, which is why it is affectionately referred to as ‘Hangar 1,” Airport Director Vincent Caire said. “Others on the field are privately owned.
Coupled with extensions to the airport’s runway since the facility was acquired by the Port in 2009, as well as the addition of a parallel runway, lighting, and AWOS systems, the facility continues to expand its role in the area.
Meanwhile, the announcement of cooperation with Dow St. Charles will create a new railroad for that organization capable of handling 250 cars at a time. Already, the port has pledged $9.5 million for the project, which will be owned by it and leased to Dow once complete. They still need to work out drainage issues to push forward, but Aucoin is already touting it as an opportunity for area growth and jobs.
“The Port of South Louisiana has been working with Dow St. Charles for several years to bring this project into fruition,” Aucoin said. “We are grateful to have the available land adjacent to Dow’s operations in St. Charles Parish and we are excited at the opportunity to help Dow improve its rail car handling/storage capabilities.”