Create a free Manufacturing.net account to continue

Nucor Breaks Ground On Louisiana Plant

Head of Nucor Corp. says plentiful natural gas supplies made it possible for the steel maker to come to Louisiana.

CONVENT, La. (AP) -- The head of Nucor Corp. says plentiful natural gas supplies made it possible for the steel maker to come to Louisiana -- and also offers the prospect of creating thousands of jobs nationwide.

Chief Executive Dan DiMiecco spoke after he and Gov. Bobby Jindal formally broke ground Monday for a $750 million iron making plant in St. James Parish.

DiMiecco said the U.S. needs to expand the use of natural gas in order to attract domestic capital investment and manufacturing projects.

The plant is part of what could eventually be a $3.4 billion complex employing up to 1,250 people. The first phase calls for 150 permanent jobs.