Aclara Resources Inc. is investing $277 million to build the first U.S. heavy rare earth separation facility at the Port of Vinton in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The project will create 140 direct jobs and an estimated 456 indirect jobs, contributing significantly to the local economy, according to the Louisiana Economic Development website.
Governor Jeff Landry welcomed the investment, emphasizing its importance to the state’s economic growth. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2027. The facility will use Aclara’s proprietary sustainable extraction technology to process heavy rare earth elements, which are critical for technologies such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. Materials will be sourced from Aclara’s deposits in Brazil and Chile.
Aclara CEO Ramón Barúa cited Louisiana’s strong industrial base and favorable investment conditions as key factors in choosing the location. The state supported the project with an incentive package that includes LED FastStart workforce training and infrastructure grants.
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Judd Bares noted that previous infrastructure investments helped make the site suitable for development. Scott Walker of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance added that the facility will strengthen the region’s industrial and economic landscape.
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