Louisiana Invests in “FAST Sites” to Attract New Business
Louisiana leaders announced a major economic development effort designed to prepare land for large-scale business investment. The Louisiana Economic Development (LED) unveiled 19 project sites across 16 parishes through its new FAST Sites program, the largest coordinated site investment initiative in state history.
The program targets locations that already show strong potential but lack key infrastructure needed to attract companies. Officials say the improvements will help Louisiana compete for high-impact projects that bring jobs, investment, and long-term economic growth.
State lawmakers funded the initiative with $150 million. The program focuses on projects that can move quickly and deliver measurable returns.
What Makes a FAST Site
FAST Sites are locations that already sit near valuable assets such as interstate highways, rail lines, ports, or airports. Many of these sites have previously lost business opportunities because they lacked infrastructure such as:
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Access roads for heavy trucks
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Utility connections
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Rail spurs
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Drainage improvements
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Environmental remediation
The FAST Sites program funds those upgrades so companies can develop the property faster.
Applicants from across Louisiana submitted about 50 proposals requesting more than $330 million in total improvements. LED selected 19 sites that showed the strongest potential to attract investment.
Funding Model Requires Return on Investment
The program also includes a unique funding structure. Projects must repay money to the state once development begins generating revenue.
Economic development officials expect returns through:
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Job creation
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Local tax revenue
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Repayment into the FAST Sites fund
This structure allows Louisiana to reinvest the money into future projects instead of exhausting the initial funding.
Baton Rouge Project Targets Tech and Innovation
One selected site sits in East Baton Rouge Parish. The project aims to redevelop a former brewery property into a technology and innovation hub known as ProofWorks.
Developers plan to transform the underused site into a workspace for emerging companies and collaborative businesses.
Another FAST Site includes improvements at the RiverPlex MegaPark in Ascension Parish, where leaders hope new infrastructure will attract additional industrial tenants.
State officials expect construction and upgrades to begin quickly. Many projects must start spending funds within nine months, keeping the “FAST” name true to its mission.