Advanced Manufacturing
Building Innovation from Deep-sea to Deep-space Exploration
Greater New Orleans has a legacy in manufacturing dating back to the Higgins boats, which were constructed at the current site of NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East and largely credited with World War II victory on D-Day. Today, the legacy continues at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility with the manufacturing and assembly of some of the largest parts of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS)—the world’s most powerful rocket that will send the Orion spacecraft, astronauts, and supplies on bold exploration missions to the Moon and beyond.
The same advantages that made the region a center for building the WWII Arsenal of Democracy, continue to attract advanced manufacturing operations:
- From natural advantages: access to abundant natural gas that translates into low-cost electricity, Mississippi River access to 32 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces
- To man-made advantages: productive workforce, largest port complex in the western hemisphere, all six class one rail, interstate highway, international airport
Today, we are committed to this legacy through financial and programmatic support, including GNO, Inc.’s GNOu workforce development partnership program and the State of Louisiana’s lucrative incentives to help reduce cost and increase speed to market. The future is bright for Advanced Manufacturing in Southeast Louisiana from the SLS mission to Mars; to innovative startups to cutting-edge research and design in new energy with LM Wind Power’s Technology Center of the Americas.
Facts & Figures
Lowest Industrial Electricity Rate
Louisiana’s electricity and natural gas rates are some of the lowest in the nation, directly decreasing operational costs for companies.
EIA
Cost-effective labor and capital-intensive manufacturing
Louisiana now ranks in the Top 10 states for business climate in the U.S.
Area Development
Complex Transportation Infrastructure
This extensive transportation system includes the largest port system by tonnage in the Western hemisphere.
Transportation and Utilities
Top Workforce Training Program
Recognized for its innovation, effectiveness, flexibility and efficiency, LED FastStart® is the nation’s best state workforce training program.
Business FacilitiesMechatronics Apprenticeship Training Program
Higher education pathways to in-demand manufacturing jobs
In an unprecedented partnership, three companies and three two-year colleges – Laitram, McCormick, Elmer Chocolate, Delgado Community College, Northshore Technical Community College and Nunez Community College – have come together to develop a pilot mechatronics apprenticeship program as a way to address the shortage of mechatronics workers in advanced manufacturing jobs.
The program teaches the fundamentals of mechatronics, a field that incorporates mechanics, electronics, and computer science with manufacturing to increase efficiency.
The Mechatronics Apprenticeship Training Program’s curriculum is designed to enhance and prepare the apprentice to be fully qualified in multiple aspects of advanced manufacturing technology. The two-year commitment will provide both technical classroom instruction and on-the-job training using an earn-while-you-learn model with training costs covered completely by the employer.
A Reimagined River Site for the Future
Former shipbuilding site on the banks of the Mississippi transforming into value-added manufacturing hub
T. Parker Host, in partnership with Hilco Redevelopment, is reimagining the former Avondale Shipyard and the future of Jefferson Parish. With a footprint of 254 acres and significant warehousing, shipping, and storage capabilities, Avondale Marine will shape the future of commerce along the Mississippi River and beyond becoming a twenty-first century global logistics hub.
Development Ready Sites
GNO sites that have been selected and reviewed for suitability and readiness
- LED Certified Sites are development-ready industrial sites. LED certification is granted after an extensive application process and exhaustive review. The benefits of certification include official acknowledgement of a site’s suitability and readiness and improved success in the site selection process. The program’s rigorous review process is conducted by an independent, third-party engineering firm. Learn more about GNO sites.
Notable Employers
LM Wind Power Establishes Technology Center for the Americas in New Orleans
LM Wind Power establishes its Technology Center for the Americas at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans creating 100 new direct jobs.
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