New manufacturing plant comes to Jeff Davis Parish
JEFF DAVIS PARISH, La. (KLFY)-- Adding to the list of new businesses and ventures in Jeff Davis Parish is a manufacturing plant that will bring more jobs and diversify the parish.
Ice Industries is bringing its first manufacturing plant to Jeff Davis Parish and, along with it, new jobs.
Creed Romano, with the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission, said this plant will provide metal pieces that will go into the solar panels that will be built in Iberia Parish later next year.
"Ice Industries is headquartered in Sylvania, Ohio. So this will be their first manufacturing plant in the state of Louisiana," Romano said.
With a $6 million-dollar investment in economic growth for Jeff Davis Parish, Ice Industries is a metal manufacturing company that will produce roll-forming steel back rails for photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
"This is just a great example of regionalism and how one large project in one area of our state impacts another."
Romano and Ronnie Petre, the chairman of the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development, agree the new manufacturing plant diversifies Jeff Davis Parish economically and displays the parish's willingness to grow.
"This sends a definite message that our workforce is ready to take that next step and we're ready to diversify our economy," Romano said.
"We feel like we have an ideal location with the law of the land to develop not only in the lack of scenario but throughout Jeff Davis Parish," Petre said.
Petre said since word got out about ice industries coming to Jeff Davis, he's heard positive feedback from the excitement of new jobs to the growth that the parish and surrounding areas will see.
"We've had a lot of positive about it, a lot of encouragement to continue on and make it grow some more," he said.
The plant is expected to be operational by the first of next year.