MT. AIRY — Gov. Bobby Jindal and CEO Mike Reed of Pin Oak Terminals announced today the company plans to make a $600 million capital investment in St. John the Baptist Parish, where the company will build a petroleum liquids storage terminal.

The facility will be located along the East Bank of the Mississippi River at Mount Airy, near the St. John/St James Parish line.

The terminal project will create 70 new on-site jobs encompassing full-time company and contractor jobs. Those new jobs will have an average annual salary of more than $60,000, plus benefits, according to Jindal’s office.

“Pin Oak Terminals will be a welcome addition to our energy corridor, offering storage, delivery and other services to industrial customers throughout the region,” Jindal said. “This $600 million project will bring quality jobs to the River Parishes and Southeast Louisiana. We are happy to see developments here that create meaningful employment opportunities for our citizens and demonstrate yet again that Louisiana is a great place to live and work.”

Facility services planned by Pin Oak include offloading, storage, heating, blending and transfer of petroleum liquids. The company is permitted to construct up to 10 million barrels of storage and unit train loops on its 431-acre site, which is situated for convenient shipping of products by rail, pipeline, barge, ship and truck.

Reed said the terminal will bring new jobs and economic activity to the community, and company leaders are enthusiastic about being a longstanding partner with the Port of South Louisiana, Louisiana and St. John the Baptist Parish.

“We plan to grow the facility over time and work with our partners to continue on past successes,” Reed said. “The community is vital to us, and we intend to remain a mainstay for many years to come. Our focus on growth is centered on superior customer service, safety-first work habits, and uncompromising environmental awareness.”

St. John the Baptist Parish President Natalie Robottom said Pin Oak has made a commitment to hiring local contractors and employees, which will enhance economic development and offer good-paying jobs to residents.

Port Executive Director Paul Aucoin said Pin Oak plans to significantly expand Phase 1 of its operations over the next five years into a world-class facility at the Mount Airy location.

Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 81 new indirect jobs. The company estimates the project will generate 250 additional construction jobs.