Avondale, La. – October 29, 2026 -- T. Parker Host (HOST) is committing $50 million to its Avondale Global Gateway industrial campus on the Mississippi River, adding rail, warehouse and dock capacity. The company expects the upgrades to open the door for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional private investment across the campus.
HOST splits $50 million across rail, warehouse, dock and site upgrades
Rail infrastructure and the new warehouse take about $15 million each. Dock improvements, road infrastructure, expanded site and laydown capacity, and equipment get $5 million each.
The 200,000-square-foot warehouse will bring the campus to approximately 1.5 million square feet of indoor storage. It is the first new building constructed at Avondale since the 1970s. HOST will also activate the campus's fifth deepwater dock, raising capacity to up to six vessels simultaneously.
Project adds about 100 HOST jobs and targets 1,000 daily workers by 2028
HOST's Avondale workforce will exceed 400 employees. As the infrastructure program and anticipated tenant projects advance, approximately 1,000 people are expected to work across the campus each day by 2028.
Copper, aluminum and energy equipment flows drive demand at Avondale
Avondale is the leading copper import terminal in North America and has executed a long-term agreement with a major energy original equipment manufacturer. It recently received the first significant shipment of Venezuelan primary aluminum to the United States in more than eight years. The campus handles more than 75 commodities.
HOST links the build-out of AI infrastructure to rising demand for power generation equipment, copper and other physical components moving through the site. Adam Anderson, HOST Chairman and CEO, said the company is "building Avondale for what comes next," with infrastructure in place before customers commit to Louisiana.
Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., said the investment strengthens the region's ability to compete for major industrial projects.
State and parish commit $6.95 million to rail expansion
Public funding covers part of the rail component of the $50 million program. Louisiana Economic Development will provide a $2.6 million interest-free loan through the newly created FastSites Program. The Louisiana Legislature has approved $3.1 million in Capital Outlay funding over the past three legislative sessions.
Jefferson Parish has committed $1.25 million in discretionary funding. Councilman Deano Bonano contributed $1 million and Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken $250,000. All $6.95 million is directed to the rail expansion.
Work is already underway, and the current capital program is expected to be completed by December 2027.