< Previous104 JULY 2023 SITE SELECTION e companies are in the midst of a front-end engineering and design study, which takes nine to months to complete. Once a fi nal investment decision is made, construction will take place over a four-year period. “We believe that ammonia will play a critical role in accelerating the world’s transition to clean energy and that demand for blue ammonia for this purpose will grow meaningfully in the coming years,” said CF Industries President and CEO Tony Wills. “We are pleased to be able to leverage our previous investments in Louisiana to add CO processing technology to our Donaldsonville complex that will enable a signifi cant volume of blue ammonia production by the middle of the decade. is will position CF Industries and Louisiana at the forefront of this emerging global market.” MacArthur’s innovation hopes within this industry are not far-fetched for Ascension Parish or the rest of the state, as the industry continues to gain global attention for its ammonia capacity resulting in partnerships that build on existing synergies throughout Louisiana. e other massive blue ammonia project investment on the books will be Clean Hydrogen Works’ $. billion, ,-acre project located along the west bank of the Mississippi River at the parish’s RiverPlex MegaPark. e project, operating under the name Ascension Clean Energy (ACE), is a joint venture among Clean Hydrogen Works, Denbury Carbon Solutions and Denmark’s leading tanker company Hafnia. While the fi nal investment decision is slated for , preparations are well underway. Denmark-based Topsoe, a globally renowned hydrogen and ammonia technology licensor, was selected in December to aid in carbon capture at the site. “We are delighted to have been selected to support this fl agship project that will showcase not only Topsoe’s world leading hydrogen and ammonia technologies, but also ACE’s leading role in the energy transition to decarbonized fuels,” said Topsoe Senior Vice President Peter Vang Christensen in a release. According to project data listed on the ACE website the site is expected to capture up to % of CO emissions and produce approximately . million metric tons of ammonia. As Denbury Carbon Solutions currently operates the largest U.S. CO pipeline out of Texas, they will lead transport and sequestration of captured emissions. Blue ammonia will then be exported to CF Industries has continued to build at its Blue Point Complex in Donaldsonville. Photos courtesy of CF Industries We have longstanding relationships with European companies in our community such as BASF, Shell, Huntsman and Air Liquide and have recently been attracting projects from Japan and Australia ... Being in a state well known for global exports we would like to one day be known for our global business diversity as well.” — Ascension Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Kate MacArthur We have longstanding relationships with 106 JULY 2023 SITE SELECTION overseas energy markets by Hafnia. “We have longstanding relationships with European companies in our community such as BASF, Shell, Huntsman and Air Liquide and have recently been attracting projects from Japan and Australia,” says MacArthur. “The CHW and CF projects would bring partners from Denmark and Japan. Being in a state well known for global exports we would like to one day be known for our global business diversity as well. While the majority of the products manufactured will be exported, our region will take advantage of these new technologies to reduce our industrial carbon footprint and continue to improve air quality.” Once committed, ACE will be built out in two blocks. The initial phase of the project, or block one, will begin construction immediately and will begin production by 2027. At peak construction the site will create 1,500 construction jobs, with 350 direct new jobs expected when operations commence. Energizing Its Workforce Massive growth within the industry means workforce development initiatives are in full swing to prepare a robust talent pipeline. In 2022, The H2theFuture Coalition was awarded a $50 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to develop a new energy cluster in South Louisiana focused on creating jobs and lowering carbon emissions. The coalition, led by Greater New Orleans Inc. and Greater New Orleans Development Foundation, M uch like the majority of New England states, Louisiana is ramping up its offshore wind capabilities. In March 2023, Gulf Wind Technology (GWT) and Shell Corporation announced plans to establish the $10 million Shell Gulf Wind Technology Accelerator. The research, training and technology demonstration program located in Jefferson Parish at GWT’s Avondale Global Gateway site aims to strengthen the industry’s talent pool and advance technological developments. “Wind resources in the Gulf region are more variable than what you find on the East Coast where most of U.S. offshore wind development activity is currently happening,” said GWT CEO James Martin in the release. “Seasonal hurricane conditions and moderate average wind speeds create a situation that requires a novel approach to the application of technology and the framework in which it is both developed and demonstrated. The Shell Gulf Wind Technology Accelerator program has been specifically created to address and fulfill this need and enable next steps for the region and for the industry.” The site, home to GWT’s HQ, is anticipated to become a hub for offshore wind development and workforce training. Here, the companies will work to create the first suite of offshore products catered to the Gulf of Mexico’s weather conditions, planning to begin turbine demonstrations in early 2024. Working with GWT to secure the project, the state offered the company incentives such as a $375,000 performance-based award for infrastructure improvements and workforce development assistance from LED FastStart. The accelerator will create a total of 84 direct and indirect roles on site. THE ROAD TO OFFSHORE CAPABILITIES A joint venture between GWT and Shell Corporation focuses on strengthening industry talent. Photo courtesy of Gulf Wind Technologies108 JULY 2023 SITE SELECTION will use the funding across five areas: workforce development, business development, university testbeds, a new energy center and building public-private partnerships. Beyond regional partnerships, Louisiana teamed up with Oklahoma and Arkansas for a bipartisan three-state partnership to create the HALO Hydrogen Hub. In January 2023, the hub was encouraged by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to submit an application for the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program to compete for $7 billion in funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The advantages of this partnership exist around the existing infrastructure among the three states. Port systems, rail, interstate and pipeline infrastructure provide routes of transportation for low- carbon hydrogen produced in the states, ultimately allowing for each to introduce hydrogen as an energy resource for industries carrying high carbon footprints. HALO applied for up to $1.25 billion in funding for a regional clean hydrogen hub as a location to demonstrate the production, processing, delivery, storage and end-use of clean hydrogen. As of now, the application is in review and the DOE is expected to announce its recipients by fall of 2023. In Ascension Parish alone 43% of the workforce is engaged in production-related occupations. As hundreds of jobs prepare to hit the industry, the state’s institutions are prepping students and existing talent for the skills necessary to land these high-quality roles. W ho knew that sugarcane waste could generate energy? Delta Biofuel has plans to do just that, according to a May 2023 announcement. The company is investing $100 million to construct a full-scale fuel production facility in Louisiana’s Iberia Parish to convert bagasse (sugarcane waste) into biomass fuel pellets, which come at a lower cost and produce low emissions compared to other biomass fuels, such as wood pellets. Both industries benefit from this project, which represents the first of its kind in the U.S., as Delta Biofuel will use feedstock bagasse from five sugar mills within the state. An incentive package offered by the state will include $1 million in performance-based grants for infrastructure projects and workforce development support from LED FastStart. The company is in the process of approval for Louisiana’s Quality Jobs program, having been previously approved for its Industrial Tax Exemption program. “Delta is thrilled to reach this milestone and begin construction,” said Delta Biofuel CEO Phil Keating. “We look forward to putting waste bagasse to good use, solving a serious problem for the sugar industry and reducing GHG emissions. I’d like to thank Iberia Parish, One Acadiana and LED for helping us get this project off the ground. Of course, we could not have done this without the coordination and support from our sugar mill partners.” Construction was expected to begin in late June 2023. Upon completion the facility is expected to produce 340,000 metric tons of biomass pellets per year. Due to contracts with utility companies in Europe, over the next serval years the facility will support the sale of over 1.8 million tons of pellets. In total, this project will create 126 new direct jobs and 149 indirect jobs. SWEET ENERGY Bagasse from local sugar mills will be used to produce biomass fuel. Photo: GettyImages (continued on page 112)110 JULY 2023 SITE SELECTION A lexandria, Louisiana, an hour northwest of Lafayette, will become home to North America’s first modern rare earth element separation and purification facility. Nova Scotia’s Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is investing $75 million in Alexandria’s Rapides Parish, providing rare earth oxides that provide a boost to the state’s EV and energy industries. Located in England Airpark, the 80,800-sq.-ft. plant plans to begin construction this year with operations set to go live in 2025, producing an initial 2,000 metric tons of rare earth oxides. The facility, named the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex, will establish a U.S. supply chain of rare earth oxides, and is expected to process 7,500 metric tons of rare earth oxides annually beginning in 2027. “It is critical that the United States leads in establishing the critical metals supply chain essential to a changing manufacturing landscape across North America,” Ucore Chairman and CEO Patrick Ryan said in a release. “The establishment of the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria represents one of these first building blocks and a significant contributor to the shift toward energy production and consumption diversification.” “This plan accelerated once Ucore narrowed its U.S. Gulf Coast search to Louisiana and worked through many excellent potential sites throughout the state. Critical success markers included streamlined logistics, access to chemicals and reagents, attractive energy costs, labor pool robustness, room for ramp- up and production expansion, and community support, including technical education infrastructure. Several communities around the state were very seriously considered, yet England Airpark and the community of Alexandria presented local partnership and expansion opportunities to ensure Ucore achieves and perhaps exceeds its original objectives.” The Port of New Orleans will play a vital role in importing rare earth materials to the facility, where they will undergo oxidization to produce metals, alloys and magnets. As part of this investment the company will receive a $15 million incentive package from the state, which includes a $900,000 grant toward infrastructure improvements. To sweeten the deal the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority provided a $360,000 grant to offset facility costs for its first year. The site will create 100 direct new jobs and an estimated 298 indirect jobs. LOUISIANA GOES RARE The Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex will process 7,500 metric tons of rare earth oxides per year. Photo: Getty Images SITE SELECTION JULY 2023 111 I n January 2023, Niagara Bottling Company made its Louisiana debut with a $160 million investment in the state’s Tangipahoa Parish, located an hour east of Baton Rouge. “Niagara Bottling is grounded in principles that put strong business and community relationships first, and we look forward to deepening our connection with Tangipahoa Parish through the establishment of this facility,” said Niagara Bottling Executive Vice President Brian Hess. “Louisiana has a rich beverage manufacturing history, and Tangipahoa Parish stood out as a highly attractive partner for this project thanks to a combination of location, logistical support and potential workforce.” The new 500,000-sq.-ft. facility will be the company’s first in that state, integrating advanced technology and automation that will aid in increased production to meet demand. Construction on the site is slated to begin later this year, creating 70 new jobs upon completion. The California-based brand makes its debut in Louisiana in 2023. Photo courtesy of Niagara Bottling Company THIRST QUENCHED112 JULY 2023 SITE SELECTION Alliance to keep curriculum relevant. For MacArthur, River Parishes Com- munity College is a critical component to the success and longevity of employ- ers in the region. Its Workforce Solu- tions program works with industries to create targeted skills and training courses or allow individuals to become industry-certified on their own. At the highest level, Louisiana State University supplies an array of long- term workforce development programs. Among the university’s assets is the Institute for Energy Innovation which focuses on energy-related research, education and training of the state’s workforce. Additionally, it is the only university with a carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) concentration as part of its petroleum engineering major, which could prove to be an immensely valuable resource in the coming years. As billion-dollar projects eye Louisiana, there is a workforce and government eager to get those operations started in order to ensure the state’s leading role in the nation’s clean energy sector. (continued from page 108) SITE SELECTION JULY 2023 113 A t a cell and gene therapy roundtable attended by Somerset County Manager of Economic Development Jessica Paolini late last fall, life sciences industry leaders hinted at the potential the region has to be at the forefront of life- saving treatments. e most vital aspect to achieving new heights within the industry? It begins with the region’s workforce. A substantial takeaway from these conversations was having talent trained to know the ins and outs of working in a clean room environment prior to starting with these companies. When developing vaccines or gene therapies such as cancer therapy, the production facility a company is operating from must be aseptic, i.e. free of any form of contamination. Mastering the hygiene, dress and behavioral basics of operating a clean room will help companies train employees into their specifi c roles faster, saving time, money and mistakes. “ ese are well-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree. ese jobs will have a direct impact on healthcare, as they’ll be involved in developing life-saving treatments,” says Paolini. A few months following those roundtables the by ALEXIS ELMORE alexis.elmore@siteselection.com New Jersey Cleans Up Life Sciences Talent New Jersey STATE SPOTLIGHT With one of the few clean rooms available on a community college campus in the Northeast, Raritan Valley Community College will be an asset to the region’s life sciences industry. Photo courtesy of Raritan Valley Community CollegeNext >