An estimated 3,200 jobs are coming to Louisiana’s Bayou Region as Saronic Technologies announces it’s investing $300 million to expand the Franklin Shipyard in St. Mary Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says this major investment will result in Saronic building more autonomous boats.
“Autonomous marine vessels that operate for primarily Department of Defense or Department of War purposes, but multiple private purposes as well,” Bourgeois said.
Bourgeois says the company is expected to create 1,500 direct new jobs and an additional 1,700 indirect jobs. She says this is great news for the bayou region’s economic future.
“We’re going to put 3,200 people to work, with high quality wages. You’re going to see that money rippling through the economy, the way it just naturally does,” Bourgeois said.
Bourgeois says Louisiana has a long history of shipbuilding and this project builds on that proud legacy by integrating innovative technology to ensure the state continues to be at the forefront of America’s defense economy.
“So all things defense related are really seeing a tremendous reinvestment these days. Louisiana is incredibly
well-positioned to take advantage of that,” Bourgeois noted.
Saronic broke ground on the expansion last month and expects construction to be completed next year, with expanded operations starting in 2027.
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