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Chevron USA and the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority have officially confirmed that the petroleum corporation will build a preservation and maintenance warehouse complex on a 30-acre tract along La. Highway 24 near Bayou St. Louis in Gray.
The project, which Chevron said would facilitate its Gulf of Mexico operations carries an estimated investment cost of $25 million. This includes $2 million as a land purchase estimate. The facility placement is expected to create up to 30 jobs with a payroll estimate of up to $4 million.
Secrecy had surrounded the project, which originated in 2009 when rumors began to circulate that Chevron was looking into building a facility similar to one operated by BP on La. Highway 311 in Schriever.
In July 2010, TEDA was contacted by landowner Jake Giardina who said at that time that he had been approached by Chevron and asked to organize a meeting in New Orleans to discuss a potential project which had Terrebonne Parish in competition with other Louisiana locations for the development.
On Sept. 2, 2010, TEDA officials began discussing the project and comprised a list of stakeholders. The development agency then began making connections for Chevron and local sources were secured to generate action for the development.
The acreage for this project, identified as being located at Evergreen Plantation, was listed in official records on Jan. 11 as having been purchased during a transitional period in December 2010 and early January 2011.
“The Chevron project is an excellent example of how TEDA works behind the scenes to improve the economic vitality of our area,” TEDA Board of Commissioners Chairman Don Hingle said on Friday. “This particular project helps the diversity of the oil and gas side of our economy.”
Construction on the Chevron preservation and maintenance facility is expected to begin during the summer of 2011, according to Hingle.
It was explained that Chevron had been reluctant to discuss the project, which had carried a code name “Emerald,” at fear it would become public before a deal had been completed. Attempts to reach a Chevron official for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
Chevron has confirmed that construction will begin this summer on a $25 million preservation and maintenance facility on La. Highway 24 in Gray. MIKE NIXON
