Textron Systems is doubling down on its New Orleans-area footprint with a $5.8 million expansion that state officials say will add roughly 133 direct jobs and support hundreds more across St. Tammany and Orleans parishes. The work is scheduled to roll out in phases through 2027, with early activity planned at the company’s Slidell vehicle plant on Gause Boulevard and upgrades at its Orleans shipyard in New Orleans East. The overall package blends capital improvements, workforce support and state incentives as Textron ramps up production tied to new defense contracts.
What the expansion covers and timeline
According to New Orleans CityBusiness, Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will generate 133 direct jobs and 223 indirect jobs, for a total potential employment impact of about 356 positions across southeast Louisiana. State figures cited by the outlet show Textron will invest $5.8 million across three sites, with $5.3 million going into upgrades at the Gause Boulevard facility in Slidell and $500,000 for engineering work at the Stone Road site. Initial work is slated to start in 2026, with project phases continuing through 2027. As part of the deal, the state approved a $600,000 performance-based grant and confirmed workforce support through LED FastStart.
Built here to meet contract demand
Textron has lined up a series of vehicle and logistics contracts that are sharpening the company’s production needs in Louisiana, including a $450 million pre-production development award for the Marine Corps Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle program, the company said in a news release. In that release, Textron Systems said the Cottonmouth ARV and other ground-vehicle work are built at its Slidell manufacturing facility, a point executives highlight as they scale up local capacity.
Local officials and wages
State estimates place most of the new direct jobs, about 111 positions, at two Slidell sites in St. Tammany Parish, with an average annual salary of $95,600. Roughly 22 direct jobs are planned for Textron’s Orleans shipyard at 19401 Chef Menteur Highway, where average pay is projected at $70,955, according to New Orleans CityBusiness. Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal called the project “a strong vote of confidence in Slidell’s workforce and business climate,” while regional partners said they collaborated with the company on incentives and workforce planning. Greater New Orleans economic development officials added that the move reinforces the region’s advanced manufacturing cluster.
Facilities and capacity
Textron’s website highlights sizable manufacturing operations in Louisiana, including facilities on Gause Boulevard and Stone Road in Slidell and a shipyard on Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans, underscoring the company’s local production footprint. Per Textron Systems, the Slidell operations include dedicated welding, assembly and test space along with on-site warehousing that supports large vehicle programs.
Officials say hiring and training will ramp up as construction phases wrap and production increases, with LED FastStart serving as the primary training pipeline. For workers and suppliers on the Northshore and in New Orleans East, the expanded programs could translate into steadier, higher-paying manufacturing work over the next several years.
