KEY TAKEAWAYS: Turner Industries to build nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen Project expected to create 1,000 direct jobs and 2,378 total jobs statewide Facilities will support small modular reactors and advanced nuclear technologies Average wage for new jobs projected at about $77,000 annually   Turner Industries will build new nuclear fabrication facilities in Louisiana, a move expected to create 1,000 direct jobs and position the state as a key hub in the emerging advanced nuclear energy supply chain, the company announced. The expansion includes two sites in New Iberia and Port Allen that will manufacture high-precision modules and nuclear-grade piping for next-generation reactors and small modular nuclear plants across the United States. State officials and company executives unveiled the project at the inaugural Louisiana Nuclear Strategy Supply Chain Summit in New Orleans, an event focused on expanding the state’s role in nuclear energy development and industrial manufacturing. The project is expected to generate an additional 1,378 indirect jobs, bringing total projected employment impact to 2,378 positions in Louisiana, according to Louisiana Economic Development. Wages for the 1,000 direct jobs are expected to average about $77,000 annually, roughly 25% above the state average. Gov. Jeff Landry said the investment aligns with efforts to expand domestic energy production and manufacturing capacity. “Louisiana is answering the President’s call for American energy dominance,” Landry said in a statement. “Turner Industries has been a cornerstone of our state’s industrial strength for decades, and this expansion puts Louisiana workers at the center of building the next generation of nuclear power.” The facilities are designed to meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards and support the rollout of small modular reactors and advanced nuclear technologies. Work will focus on modular construction methods intended to reduce build times and costs by assembling components in controlled environments before shipping them to project sites. Turner Industries Chief Executive Officer Stephen Toups said the investment builds on the company’s long history in industrial construction while expanding into nuclear energy infrastructure. “These Louisiana facilities and their capabilities represent a commitment in our workforce and our state,” Toups said. “By specializing in modular fabrication and ASME Section III certified piping, we are ensuring that much of the next wave of nuclear innovation is ‘Built in Louisiana.’” The company also plans to work with community colleges to develop workforce training programs tailored to nuclear fabrication, though details have not yet been finalized. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said the project highlights the state’s industrial base and its growing role in advanced energy manufacturing. “Turner Industries represents that strength, and this expansion shows how our homegrown companies are evolving to meet new demand,” Bourgeois said. The New Iberia site, located at the Port of Iberia, will serve as a major fabrication hub with 90,000 square feet of indoor space, a 420-foot dock and heavy-lift capacity for modules weighing up to 6,000 tons. Officials said the location will allow efficient shipment of components nationwide and to offshore projects. Port officials and regional development leaders said the expansion will significantly boost the Acadiana economy and strengthen the local industrial base. The Port Allen facility, operating since 1983, will continue focusing on pipe fabrication and coatings with the capacity to produce up to 6,500 spools per month. The site has direct access to barge, rail and highway networks supporting large-scale construction projects. Turner Industries, founded in Baton Rouge in 1961, operates across the energy, manufacturing and industrial sectors. The company said it employs more than 20,000 people nationwide. ...read more read less