A Carencro manufacturer will launch a $25.5 million expansion that will create 129 new jobs to expand its capabilities with aerospace and defense clients.
Coastal Machine & Supply, 4832 NE Evangeline Thruway, will build a 20,000-square-foot addition and follow it with a 100,000-square-foot addition to manufacture large, complex precision components while supporting additional workforce and engineering needs, Louisiana Economic Development officials announced Wednesday.
Coastal, which began in 2004 and now employs 58, has expanded from serving the Gulf Coast oil and gas industry into a precision manufacturer for mission-critical industries in aerospace and defense along with components for rockets, satellites and avionics, according to its website.
“Six years ago, Coastal made a deliberate bet: that the same precision, discipline and workmanship that served the Gulf’s energy industry could serve the nation’s space and defense programs,” CEO Kody Guidry said. “That bet is paying off. Coastal has two decades of delivering precision components, a strong family culture and deep trust with customers across the oil and gas, defense and space ecosystems.”
To secure the project, LED offered an incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s High Impact Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
“As our economic base expands and our parish grows, we are preparing for that growth in both the city and our unincorporated areas, ensuring Lafayette is positioned to support new investment and new opportunities,” Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet said. “This continued momentum in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense is building an even brighter future for Lafayette and the Acadiana region.”
The expansion is more growth for the manufacturing sector in Acadiana, which grew its jobs by just over 200 in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous quarter and nearly 5,000 over a five-year span, federal data shows.
“The talent in this region is undeniable, and SpaceX’s decision to invest historic capital in Louisiana tells you they see it, too,” Guidry said. “Manufacturing is here to stay and grow in Louisiana. We’re proud of what this expansion means for our community, our state and — most of all — our employees.”
