VACHERIE — At least 18 announced projects to establish or expand industry operations within the River Parishes have been announced within the last four years.

Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Paul Aucoin shared that news and more Tuesday morning as the lead speaker during the River Region Chamber of Commerce’s general membership at Oak Alley plantation.

“The world outside of the Port of South Louisiana is discovering what the River Region has to offer, and that is location, location, location … plus inexpensive natural gas and generous economic incentives,” Aucoin said. Companies that include Yuhuang Chemical, First Bauxite and Marathon Petroleum are slated to invest more than $25 billion and create more 2,700 direct jobs that offer an average salary, plus benefits, of $76,000, according to information provided by the Port.

In 2004, the economic development departments of St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James Parishes and the Port of South Louisiana formed the River Region Economic Development Initiative to develop strategies to further economic growth and diversification of the River Region.

Aucoin also announced the Port of South Louisiana is the 2015 recipient of the Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council for its quarterly publication, the PortLog.

“I am very proud of the Port, particularly the department of business development, and Renaissance Publishing, our publisher, for being recognized with this special award,” Aucoin said. “Fortunately, we have a lot of exciting things happening at the Port of South Louisiana that we can share with readers.”