By LEONARD GRAY

RESERVE – The Port of South Louisiana recently presented its case for increased business throughout its jurisdiction to an assembly of business developers for the state.

At a reception held at the Globalplex Guest House in Reserve, Port Executive Director Joseph Accardo welcomed Skip Smart, assistant secretary of the Office of Business Development, Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

Smart was joined by four “cluster heads,” representing various segments of the state’s economy, including David Kane (transportation), David Boulet (oil and gas), Kelsey Short (agriculture) and Mike Taylor (petrochemical).

The cluster heads are four of the nine making up the brain trust of the Louisiana 20/20 plan for economic development for the coming 20 years.

Accardo welcomed the group to the heart of the largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere, moving 245 million tons of cargo. He was joined by St. John the Baptist Parish Council chairman Cleveland Farlough, Rep. Gary Smith, and port commissioners Louis Joseph, Lawrence Jackson and Gregory Gravois, as well as parish economic development directors Edie Michel (St. James), Julie Remondet (St. John) and Corey Faucheux (St. Charles).

Accardo explained the economic impact of Louisiana’s ports, with $29.7 million of total impact for the Port of South Louisiana alone and $423 million dollars across the state. At Globalplex alone, the bulk dock represents a $30 million investment and the general cargo dock a $25 million investment. In addition, Globalplex has a 200,000-square-foot storage capacity and 177,000 square feet in laydown capacity.

“No wait, no worry!” is our motto, Accardo said.

He expanded that the Port’s own plan for economic development is targeting food processing, petrochemical, plastics, stone/clay/metals and warehouse/distribution.

Their strategy includes boosting local industries, attracting new industries in the targeted cluster areas and attracting foreign investments, and added the port can issue both taxable and tax-exempt bonds for financing.

Smart’s visit followed an address to the River Parishes Chamber general membership meeting, held earlier in the day at Destrehan Plantation’s Mule Barn, where he was joined as well by the cluster heads.

Kane, the transportation specialist, pointed out, “It makes good sense for do business with other businesses in Louisiana.”

In his own realm, he sees the importance of the Mississippi River and its upriver tributaries as vital to the continued economic growth of American business.

Barge transportation compares favorably with rail, for instance, as while it is slightly more time-consuming, the costs are a considerable savings.

“I’m trying to find opportunities to fill northbound barges,” he said.

At the same time, he and the other cluster heads are working to get competitors to work together for their common goals.