Grön Fuels’ proposed renewable fuels complex in West Baton Rouge Parish has been named the nation’s No. 2 project in Business Facilities magazine’s 2020 Economic Development Deal of the Year competition.
Fidelis Infrastructure announced in November that its portfolio company Grön Fuels is studying the feasibility of a $9.2 billion complex at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, where it plans to produce low-carbon diesel fuel from renewable feedstocks.
Through all phases of development, the complex would create an estimated 1,025 new direct jobs, with an average annual salary of $98,595, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project would result in up to 4,560 new indirect jobs, for a total of 5,585 new jobs in the Capital Region. A final investment decision is expected from Grön Fuels later this year, which will determine the final cost of the project’s first phase.
The Grön Fuels refinery would be the largest project at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge in 20 years. The 141-acre complex would produce up to 180,000 barrels per day of low-carbon diesel from nonfossil feedstocks, including soybean oil, corn oil and animal fats.
An independent panel of judges considered 40 project nominations from across the nation in 2020 to make the final selections for the competition. The awards are presented to projects that create a significant number of quality jobs, increase the tax base and otherwise stimulate the economy.
In addition to the silver award for Louisiana, judges selected the Tesla Gigafactory plant in Austin, Texas, for its gold award and Centene’s regional headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the bronze award. Read the full announcement from LED.
