– The St. Martin Economic Development Authority (SMEDA), in partnership with One Acadiana, Entergy Louisiana, the Town of Henderson and Louisiana Economic Development (LED), announced the certification of the 142.92acre Henderson I-10 Site through LED’s Certified Sites Program.
Located immediately adjacent to Interstate 10 in Henderson, the property becomes the seventh LED Certified Site in St. Martin Parish and adds another strategically located property to the parish’s growing portfolio of development-ready sites.
“The certification of the Henderson I-10 Site is another significant milestone for St. Martin Parish and reflects the work we’ve done to build one of the strongest portfolios of development-ready sites in Louisiana,” said Jennifer Stelly, Executive Director of the St. Martin Economic Development Authority. “Every site we pursue represents a strategic investment in our parish’s future, and with seven Louisiana Economic Development Certified Sites now in St. Martin Parish, we are continuing to create opportunities that position our communities to compete for quality business investment and sustainable economic growth.”
The Henderson I-10 Site offers nearly 143 acres with exceptional visibility and access along one of Louisiana’s primary east-west transportation corridors. Located between Lafayette and Baton Rouge, the property is approximately 26 miles from the Port of Iberia and 40 miles from the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, providing access to additional transportation infrastructure and global markets.
SMEDA has made the identification and advancement of high-quality development sites a central component of its economic development strategy. Since beginning its site certification initiative in 2018, SMEDA has worked to build an inventory of properties capable of competing for new business and industrial investment.
SMEDA
LED Certified Sites undergo extensive due diligence and review to address development issues in advance, reducing uncertainty and allowing communities to respond more quickly when businesses and site selectors evaluate potential locations.
Certification of the Henderson I-10 Site was completed through One Acadiana’s Site Development Program in partnership with SMEDA, property owners, Entergy Louisiana and LED.
“The Henderson I-10 Site represents the type of opportunity that can truly elevate Acadiana’s competitiveness,” said One Acadiana President & CEO Troy Wayman. “At nearly 143 acres with immediate access to Interstate 10, this site offers the scale and strategic location that major industrial investments are seeking. This certification further strengthens Acadiana’s ability to compete for transformative projects that create jobs and generate long-term economic opportunity.”
Entergy Louisiana also supported the certification process and St. Martin Parish’s continued efforts to prepare sites for future investment.
“Economic development begins long before a project announcement – it starts with communities preparing for the opportunity,” said Michelle Bourg, Entergy Louisiana’s Vice President of Business & Economic Development. “Entergy Louisiana is proud to support the certification of the Henderson I-10 site in St. Martin Parish because strategic investments like this position communities to compete for future growth. Through strong partnerships with Louisiana Economic Development, One Acadiana and the St. Martin Parish Economic Development Authority, we are committed to creating the conditions that attract investment, create quality jobs and strengthen the communities we are privileged to serve.”
The certification represents the culmination of a multi-year effort involving a property assembled across multiple ownership interests and extensive coordination to establish a site of sufficient scale for future economic development opportunities.
“I am excited about the certification of the Henderson I-10 site and the significant industrial development potential it unlocks for our area,” said Dorsey Knott, part landowner of the Henderson I-10 Site. “This strategic location is poised to attract highquality investment, create new jobs, and drive economic growth that will benefit families and businesses across St. Martin Parish for generations to come.”
The Henderson I-10 Site joins six other LED Certified Sites in St. Martin Parish and brings Acadiana’s regional total to 36 certified sites representing more than 3,000 acres of development- ready property.
With the addition of the Henderson I-10 Site, SMEDA will continue working with its local, regional, utility and state partners to market St. Martin Parish’s certified sites and strengthen the parish’s ability to compete for future business and industrial investment.
For more information about available sites and economic development opportunities in St. Martin Parish, contact the St. Martin Economic Development Authority.
