Energy Center opens industrial park to potential tenants

A new 200-acre land development in Gray will focus on attracting clients in the energy and oilfield services sector.

The Energy Center of Southeast Louisiana opened in mid-July on La. Highway 24 a half-mile north of U.S. Highway 90, said Ronnie Shaw, managing member of Cropland Investment Group, which owns the development.

Industries can buy or lease property at the Energy Center. Shaw said lots are typically 100 by 200 feet. The maximum purchase or lease is 200 feet.

“It’s primarily oilfield- and energy-related, but we have flexibility,” he said. “We have a lot of acreage.”

“It’s not exclusively energy-related, but that’s our focus for now,” he said.

So far, four parcels of land have been purchased at the Energy Center. Olympian Machine has completed a machine shop and purchased more land. One buyer purchased land that is being leased by boat operator Genesis Offshore. A fourth purchaser is from Thibodaux.

Genesis will have a temporary office at the location. The other purchase was to construct a building for lease or sale to another client.

Shaw said the latter two land purchases were for investment purposes. Buying land could be an alternative to investing in the stock market, he said.

The Energy Center is particularly seeking clients from southern Terrebonne who have been threatened by flooding. The land containing the Energy Center land is higher.

“It’s in Flood Zone C,” Shaw said. “There is no elevation requirement to get flood insurance if you’re getting financing. It’s not an area considered to have flood problems.”

Shaw can construct buildings to suit the needs of clients, he said.

The Energy Center has 1,900 feet of frontage along La. Highway 24 and is under no parish zoning restrictions. Water and underground utilities are available.

Shaw said the Energy Center will have an official ribbon-cutting ceremony soon.

Energy Center of Southeast Louisiana in Gray is seeking industries to buy or lease land. The new development’s focus is on attracting industries related to energy and oil production, though not exclusively, said the development’s spokesman Ronnie Shaw. * Photo courtesy of ENERGY CENTER OF SOUTHEAST LA.