Shreveport, La. (7/17/2023) – SLB announced establishing a manufacturing facility in the former General Motors assembly plant in Caddo Parish. This new facility will leverage the global technology company’s capabilities in contract manufacturing, system integration, and industrialization of digital infrastructure equipment that support its core mission of energy innovation for a balanced planet.
The company’s $18.5 million investment is expected to create 596 new direct jobs with an annual payroll of more than $50 million over the next three years. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 749 new indirect jobs, for a total of 1,345 new jobs in the Northwest Region.
“It’s hard to express just how much the former GM plant means to the people of northwest Louisiana,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “Bringing it back into commerce with new manufacturing jobs in a new sector is a historic milestone for economic growth, diversification, and job creation in our state. SLB’s investment will breathe new life into this once-thriving business park and provide hundreds of new, high-paying jobs for our state’s skilled manufacturing workers. Louisiana finished 2022 with our highest manufacturing employment levels in seven years, and with today’s announcement, we see clear evidence of that positive momentum continuing in 2023 and beyond.”
Earlier this month, SLB signed a seven-year lease agreement with Shreveport Business Park to renovate and occupy 1 million square feet of the former GM plant that has been vacant since 2012.
“LED and its nationally recognized workforce development program FastStart will be an important partner in helping us to find and train the skilled workforce that will make this project a success,” said Bruce Miller, SLB’s Vice President of Industry Affairs for North America. “We would also like to thank NLEP for their team’s responsiveness and dedication throughout this process. We look forward to creating hundreds of quality jobs locally, and to becoming a valued part of the Shreveport community.”
Recruitment for the nearly 600 new positions will begin in the coming weeks. SLB expects renovations of the Antoine Boulevard facility to be complete early next year. Production is estimated to reach full capacity by the end of 2026.
“The Caddo Commission welcomes this exciting news of additional economic development activity,” Caddo Commission President Roy Burrell said. “We stand fast to support this job development initiative to further reduce our unemployment rate by providing quality, well-paying jobs to support our middle-class growth.”
“The Industrial Development Board is proud to support and facilitate this incredible project,” President of Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board Kyle McInnis said. “Not only is it a significant economic development success for our region, but it also kindles a new chapter to revitalize the former GM facility. We’ve been waiting for a project of this scale since the Parish acquired that facility. We would also like to thank NLEP for their efforts which led to this great announcement.”
To secure the project in Shreveport, the state of Louisiana offered SLB a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart and a $4.5 million performance-based grant for building and infrastructure improvements upon meeting investment and employment targets. The company is expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs program.
“The location of this new manufacturing facility in Caddo Parish is exciting news,” Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said. “We look forward to almost 600 new jobs with excellent pay and benefits for our community. The city will do everything it can to help SLB succeed in our area. It’s a great day for northwest Louisiana and Shreveport!”
NLEP and its economic development partners began formal discussions with SLB about a potential Shreveport facility in March 2023. To secure the project, in addition to the state’s incentive package, the Parish of Caddo, the Caddo Parish Industrial Development Board, and the City of Shreveport will provide expedited permitting and performance-based grants. These incentives are tied to the company’s commitment to well-paying jobs in the region.
“This win was made possible by the collaborative efforts of many groups and individuals,” North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon said. “There has been a substantial shift in recent years for our community to work together and leverage the assets of north Louisiana, with Shreveport Business Park being a significant one. SLB, an incredible company, has acknowledged these efforts with their commitment to bring quality, well-paying manufacturing jobs to the area.”
This Shreveport metro area location was chosen by the company due to many reasons. Shreveport Business Park, managed by IRG, fits their needs as an existing manufacturing facility with the necessary utilities and infrastructure in place. In addition, the region provides a large, skilled, and trainable workforce to fill the company’s new positions within the needed hiring timeline. Lastly, the regional economic development organization serving as a single point of contact to facilitate and champion the economic development process was impactful. The collaboration between state and local officials, combined with the response time of the regional economic development organization, was an imperative factor in the company’s decision.
“Since the beginning of 2023, IRG has leased over 1.5 million square feet in Shreveport,” said Stuart Lichter, President of IRG. “This success is the result of IRG’s long-term commitment to Shreveport— creating economic growth, reviving a massive industrial campus, and expanding job opportunities.”
Register to be notified about job opportunities, hiring events and news updates with SLB here.
About SLB
SLB is a global technology company that drives energy innovation for a balanced planet. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, SLB works each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com.
About North Louisiana Economic Partnership
North Louisiana Economic Partnership, an Accredited Economic Development Organization, provides professional economic development services to a fourteen-parish region of North Louisiana, including lead generation and prospect management. The organization also represents the interests of North Louisiana with a unified voice and as a single point of contact. It acts as a catalyst, a convener, and a connector in the region to ensure that North Louisiana’s economic development potential is realized. Its vision is for North Louisiana to be a thriving region-a destination for high-quality talent, innovative companies, and global investment. Visit nlep.org for more information.
