WAGGAMAN, La. (AP) — A groundbreaking ceremony Monday in Waggaman marked the start of an ammonia plant for explosives maker Dyno Nobel International.
Gov. Bobby Jindal's office said Dyno Nobel plans to begin ammonia production in mid-to-late 2016, with Cornerstone Chemical Company completing six years of maintenance and infrastructure work that will help support the ammonia plant.
The $1 billion project combines construction of Dyno Nobel's $850 million ammonia plant with Cornerstone Chemical's $175 million investment in upgrades and infrastructure expansion at Cornerstone's Fortier Manufacturing Complex.
Jindal's office said the governor broke ground on the project with Incitec Pivot Limited Chairman Paul Brasher and Cornerstone Chemical CEO Greg Zoglio.
Incitec Pivot, based in Australia, is the parent company of Dyno Nobel.
The project will create 65 new direct jobs, with 60 new employees at Cornerstone Chemical and another five employed by Dyno Nobel, Jindal's office said in a news release. Salaries for the new direct jobs will average more than $55,700 per year, plus benefits, according to the governor's office.