GNO, Inc. Sunday Night Highlight – Louisiana has a Job-Making, Record-Breaking 2025

Louisiana is closing 2025 with historic economic momentum.

The past 12 months marked the largest year of capital investment and job creation in the state’s history, with more than $61 billion in announced investment and over 9,300 new direct jobs statewide. Those jobs carry an estimated average salary of $91,000, roughly $30,000 above the state average, underscoring an intentional shift toward higher-wage, higher-impact growth.

Recent announcements illustrate the breadth of the growth. Saronic Technologies is investing $300 million to expand autonomous vessel production in Franklin, strengthening Louisiana’s role in maritime manufacturing and defense innovation. SLB is doubling its footprint in Shreveport, with a $30 million expansion tied to digital infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. Epic Piping is expanding its Livingston headquarters to meet rising demand across natural gas, nuclear, and data center markets. ElementUSA – a GNO, Inc. project –  is advancing an $850 million rare-earth and critical minerals refining facility in St. John and St. James Parishes, reinforcing domestic supply chains essential to national security and advanced technologies. Hut 8’s planned $10 billion AI data center in West Feliciana Parish further solidifies Louisiana’s emergence as a serious player in next-generation digital infrastructure.

“Louisiana’s performance this year shows what is possible when we align our strategy with the needs of our workers and the ambitions of our businesses,” said Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois. “The growth we are seeing isn’t just measured in investment; it’s measured in the quality of jobs being created. With new positions averaging more than $91,000 annually, more Louisiana families are accessing the kinds of wages that change lives. This is the progress we planned for, and it is only the beginning.”

You can read more on the Louisiana Economic Development website, here.