Mark Schleifstein, staff writer at NOLA.com, reported on Greenfield Louisiana LLC has abandoned its plans to build an $800 million grain export facility in Wallace, Louisiana, due to repeated delays in obtaining federal permits. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced another six-month delay, extending the process to over three years, prompting the company to cancel the project. The facility, which would have been the first of its kind built in the U.S. in decades, was expected to create 1,000 construction jobs and over 300 permanent positions, and generate approximately $300 million in state tax revenue.
Governor Jeff Landry criticized the Corps for yielding to pressure from special interest groups and noted the economic loss for St. John Parish. The project faced strong opposition from local community groups, including the Descendants Project, due to concerns about its impact on the historically significant area and potential environmental justice issues.
The cancellation marks a significant setback for economic development in the region, weighed against the preservation of community heritage and environmental concerns.
