Louisiana will soon welcome President Donald Trump for a visit to Sempra Energy’s Cameron LNG Export Facility. With over $100 billion in announced energy projects and $65 billion in projects already underway, Southwest Louisiana has a story worth sharing.
Our region is home to historic economic growth and job creation as part of the LNG boom, and I am honored that President Trump recognizes Louisiana’s significance regarding American energy dominance. South Louisiana is blessed with a strategic location on the Gulf Coast that is home to vast natural resources, major ports, industrial airfields, rail and pipeline hubs, and generational skills. With critical investments in new and existing infrastructure, Southwest Louisiana can become the epicenter of national economic prosperity.
What we are seeing is reflective of President Trump’s efforts to unleash America’s energy potential and establish an era of American energy dominance. In Calcasieu and Cameron parishes, projects like Sasol, Cheniere, Sabine Pass LNG, Driftwood LNG, Magnolia LNG, Cameron LNG, and many others are creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic development. Southwest Louisiana is quickly becoming a global leader in energy exports.
Historic tax cuts, regulatory reform, and an America-first business climate are driving energy projects forward. Continued economic growth in Louisiana relies on modern infrastructure and a strong workforce. I will continue to reinforce that message directly with President Trump and his Cabinet.
We must invest in our ports, waterways, roads, and bridges. We should also invest in workforce development to ensure that local workers can meet growing job and industry demands.
When President Trump visited Lake Charles after Hurricane Harvey, I asked him to invest in dredging and water management for South Louisiana. I looked in his eyes and stated that we’ve seen this much water fall, but we haven’t seen this much water rise. His administration followed through. The Calcasieu Channel and Port of Lake Charles have received over $194 million for dredging since 2017. That investment enables greater trade, attracts new business, and will generate more than a billion dollars in revenue over the next five years.
On Tuesday, I will speak to President Trump about the need to continue investing in our region. This includes federal resources for our ports, waterways, airfields, and a new I-10 bridge. With strategic investments, we can unlock Southwest Louisiana’s full economic potential, which will be a major benefit to the entire nation.
I am grateful for our Commander in Chief and for his upcoming visit. He leads from the front, and he follows through on his promises. That spirit is certainly welcome here in South Louisiana.
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Congressman Clay Higgins represents Louisiana’s 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
