Proposal would team T’bonne, St. Mary ports

A new port in Amelia serving west Terrebonne, east St. Mary and southern Assumption parishes could be created if representatives of the three parishes can work out differences.

A major cargo airport in Assumption would also need to be constructed to complete the new port facility, said state Rep. Joe Harrison of Labadieville, who also represents parts of St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes.

Harrison filed a bill in the current session of the state Legislature ending June 25 establishing the Tri-Parish Port Authority at the former Avondale Shipyard.

He said several companies are eager to locate in the area, waiting for the new port and airport to be developed. The intersection of La. Highway 311 and U.S. Highway 90 is already booming, said Harrison, who is looking at property in Assumption Parish for the airport.

“We need to make the connection from west Terrebonne into St. Mary and Morgan City,” he said. “It’s a vital economic zone.”

The infrastructure to build the new port is in place, he said. The area has a deepwater slip and access to rail transport and an interstate highway.

“The only need is an airport, that’s where Assumption comes in,” Harrison said. “There’s no other place with that type of area. It’s pitiful it’s taken so long to get to this point. Major companies want to go there. We can create dominance in the market.”

Harrison will meet with Port of Morgan City Executive Director Jerry Hoffpaiur, Port of Terrebonne Director David Rabalais, economic development officials and presidents from the three parishes and the local state legislative delegation.

All three parishes will be better positioned to receive federal money if the new port is created, Harrison said, but he and Hoffpaiur acknowledged that Terrebonne Parish would gain most from the new facility.

“We will go along with what the Terrebonne Port wants,” Hoffpaiur said. “It will affect them most.”

The Port of Morgan City is responsible for keeping bayous Bouef, Chene and Black navigable, although the bayous flow into Terrebonne or Assumption parishes.

Hoffpaiur planned to meet with Rabalais, Harrison and Terrebonne President Michel Claudet on Monday.

Hoffpaiur was adamant that designating the new facility as a port will cause it to compete with the Morgan City and Terrebonne ports for state Port Priority Program funds. He prefers calling the new facility an industrial park.

“None of us are thrilled about it being called a port,” Hoffpaiur said. “Just put another name on it.”

Rabalais called the proposal to build the new port a vehicle to purchase the coveted former Avondale Shipyard property.

“We will come up with a solution to buying it without creating a Tri-Parish Port Authority,” he said, “but we’ll see.”

Harrison has been working on the project for more than a year and said the facility will enhance the economic development of his district.

He said opposition to the creation of the new facility is based on the assumption that economic self-interest is involved.

“We’re ready to finalize,” Harrison said. “They’re excited, but everyone wants to protect their territory.”

He said that though revenue will flow primarily to Terrebonne Parish, Assumption and St. Mary will benefit as well.

Port Fourchon could be included in future talks.

“Terrebonne is the major player in this but we’re trying to get the parishes in common,” he said. “We’re trying to get everyone on board and hope to get it moving forward quickly.”

Harrison said the Avondale property needs to be purchased before it is bought by private interests.

Another port could be created in St. Mary Parish along with the Port of Morgan City (pictured) and the West St. Mary Port. Talks are under way with Terrebonne, St. Mary and Assumption officials to create a new port in Amelia in St. Mary Parish. * Photo courtesy of THE PORT OF MORGAN CITY