Posted on 03/24/2025 12:16:54 PM PDT by abb
DONALDSONVILLE — Hyundai is planning a nearly $6 billion investment in Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry, President Donald Trump and other officials announced at the White House on Monday.
The South Korean car manufacturer will be opening its first North American steel facility in Donaldsonville, the governor said during the afternoon announcement. According to Louisiana Economic Development, the $5.8 billion facility will be located on 1,700 acres of sugarcane fields in the RiverPlex MegaPark industrial center.
The facility is expected to create 1,300 direct jobs and 4,100 indirect jobs in the capital region.
“Hyundai’s decision to invest nearly $6 billion in Ascension Parish speaks volumes about Louisiana’s skilled workforce, robust infrastructure and our ability to compete for innovative manufacturing facilities,” Landry said. “This announcement makes clear that Louisiana’s manufacturing sector is roaring back, thanks to our historic tax reforms, our business-friendly approach and the many competitive advantages our state has to offer international powerhouses like Hyundai.”
Landry said Hyundai's investment is a tangible example of Trump's America-First policies. He added that Louisiana will have $50 billion in construction projects by the end of the summer, something he also attributes to Trump.
Trump said the plant will produce more than 2.7 million metric tons of steel annually. He said the steel will be used in Alabama and Georgia, the latter being the site of another major Hyundai expansion into America, to produce more than a million American-made cars every year.
"This investment is a clear demonstration that tariffs very strongly work," the president said, adding that Hyundai will not have to pay tariffs if they continue to make their cars in the United States.
Trump said that Hyundai's investment in Donaldsonville is part of a larger, $21 billion investment in American production.
Trump added that he hopes Hyundai will be set a trend for automobile companies bringing more money and investments into the country.
"We plan to supply automotive steel plates not only for Hyundai Motor and Kia’s strategic models but also to expand sales to U.S. automakers in the future," Hyundai Steel Company President and CEO Gang Hyun Seo said.
Louisiana Economic Development said they won the project for Louisiana by offering Hyundai a "competitive incentives package including a $100 million performance-based grant for infrastructure improvements."
LED said that the company is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs program and invest in nearby infrastructure upgrades. Hyundai will also invest in a new Port of South Louisiana deep water dock on the Westbank of Ascension Parish to accommodate steel and materials shipments.
Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment thanked Landry and other officials for helping bring Hyundai into Ascension Parish, but praised Trump for allowing for the deal to happen in the first place.
"Ascension is proud to support businesses that drive both progress and opportunity for our citizens,” Cointment said. "Through Hyundai Steel Company, we will see the creation of over 1,300 jobs, with many positions being filled by individuals trained right here in Ascension Parish. Education and training are essential in addressing poverty and inequality and laying the foundation for lasting economic growth. Today marks a milestone in our community's journey toward a brighter and more prosperous future for all of Ascension.”
Sen. Bill Cassidy praised the decision, which he said will generate $4.1 billion annually.
“Made in America is good, but made in Louisiana is even better! My team has advocated to Hyundai that Louisiana is the best state to invest in. I’m glad they agree!” Cassidy, a Republican, said in a statement. “Thank you to President Trump and Governor Landry for their support for American manufacturing and Louisiana jobs.”
Rep. Troy Carter, who represents Donaldsonville, also praised the Hyundai plant, calling it a "major milestone in fortifying America's manufacturing future.
"This investment in Louisiana addresses the growing need for a resilient, secure domestic supply chain," Carter, a Democrat, said. "As demand for locally produced, high-quality automotive steel continues to rise, this state-of-the-art facility will play a critical role in supporting Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S. production operations and driving economic growth across the region.”
Hyundai anticipates construction to begin in the third quarter of 2026. According to The Advocate, the plant may be up and running by 2029 if its approved by state and local regulators.
Since I began voting in 1971, we've gone from eight congressmen to five because of population flight.
The only people who stay here are retireds and government deadheads.
Canada....Are you listening??
Those tricksy tariffs that the left lies about. International communism doesn’t want a single nation or state to be able to stand alone. A one world government would be a boot in the face of humanity forever.
And 5 times the secondary jobs.
This is great, so first step construction jobs, second step, steel workers jobs.
It’s not just a scrap re-melt mill. A complete integrated plant using iron ore as raw material.
HSC plans to import an estimated 3.6 million tons of iron ore annually to the facility. Completed coils will be shipped out via rail and truck to customers, including Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and U.S. automakers. The largest portion of steel manufactured in Louisiana will be sent to Hyundai Motor Company’s vehicle manufacturing plants throughout the U.S. The mill is expected to produce 2.7 million metric tons of steel annually.
The state-of-the-art electric arc furnace (EAF) steel mill is expected to produce 70% lower emissions than traditional blast furnaces, aligning with the Hyundai Motor Group’s mission to advance sustainable energy solutions across all of its subsidiaries.
“Hyundai Steel’s investment in an electric arc furnace (EAF) based integrated steel mill in the U.S. is anticipated to stimulate local economic growth, including the creation of new job opportunities,” Hyundai Steel Company President and CEO Gang Hyun Seo said. “We plan to supply automotive steel plates not only for Hyundai Motor and Kia’s strategic models but also to expand sales to U.S. automakers in the future.”
:: And 5 times the secondary jobs. ::
Great news for the Yoopers of the Iron Range.
Are they going actually bend metal there or simply assemble it?
No, make the steel sheet and roll it into coils for transport.
This is great news. I hope Nippon builds new facilities in PA as well. It will be needed for ship building.
I would suspect most of the iron ore would come down the Mississippi River via barge. 3.6 mm tons/year is about 1 1/2 barge loads/day.
That’s a big deal for that area. Not much going on right now.
I’m not sure if the water’s safe to drink, though.
No integrated steel mill has been built in the USA sinc the 1960s.
This mill produces 3 million tons of steel per year and the USA imports ~30, but it is a start.
Tariffs work !
unfortunately the iron ore is imported, probalby from Labrador which is why the Anschluss is a national security imperative for the USA.
> And 5 times the secondary jobs. <
That’s a very important point, and one that is missed by a lot of people.
I’m from an old mill town. When the mills were going strong we had theaters, department stores, etc. all going strong too. Now no more mills. So no more theaters, department stores, etc.
A friend of the family owned a small machine shop. He and his very talented team fabricated specialty items for the mill. His business is gone now, too.
Yes. And mostly because they base a lot of what they say on “it’s impossible” to reverse offshoring.
No. Article states it will be imported. Probably from Labrador.
We have other sources, too.
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