Turner Industries is doubling down on Louisiana, unveiling plans Tuesday for two new nuclear fabrication facilities that state leaders say could jolt the economy from Acadiana to the Capital Region. The company will build one facility at the Port of Iberia in New Iberia and another in Port Allen, with roughly 1,000 direct jobs on the table and a broader statewide economic ripple promised. The expansion zeroes in on modular assembly and ASME Section III nuclear‑grade piping, putting heavy fabrication capacity closer to Gulf logistics and ports. Company and state officials say the new positions should average about $77,000 a year.
As reported by New Orleans CityBusiness, the announcement came at the inaugural Louisiana Nuclear Strategy & Supply Chain Summit in New Orleans, where Louisiana Economic Development estimated the investment will spin off about 1,378 indirect jobs, for a total projected employment impact of roughly 2,378 positions statewide. CityBusiness notes that the company expects to split the 1,000 direct hires roughly evenly between the two locations, with pay well above the state average. Officials framed the move as a bid to grab a bigger piece of the emerging market for small modular reactors and other advanced nuclear technologies.
New Iberia Yard Built for Massive Nuclear Modules
According to Turner Industries, the New Iberia operation at the Port of Iberia will sit on a 95‑acre yard that includes about 90,000 square feet of indoor fabrication space, a 420‑foot dock and heavy‑lift gear capable of loading modules weighing up to 6,000 tons. The company says this yard will anchor its Gulf of America operations and specialize in modular construction aimed at cutting field assembly time for small modular reactors and other advanced reactor designs. Executives pointed to the site's deepwater access as a must for shipping oversized modules to U.S. projects and offshore customers.
Port Allen Keeps Its Pipe Muscle and Coatings Work
WBRZ reports that the Port Allen facility, which Turner has operated since 1983, will continue to focus on pipe fabrication and coatings from a 75‑acre site that can turn out up to 6,500 spools per month. The plant’s direct access to barge, rail and highway networks remains central to moving bulky fabricated components to projects around Louisiana and to customers across the country. West Baton Rouge leaders said the new investment should further cement the parish’s industrial base.
State’s Nuclear Playbook Gets a Real‑World Test
The expansion lines up neatly with the state’s Nuclear Strategic Framework, which outlines how to sync workforce development, infrastructure and permitting so Louisiana can pitch itself as a national hub for nuclear manufacturing, according to the State of Louisiana's Nuclear Strategic Framework. Governor Jeff Landry called the Turner investment a win for Louisiana workers and for U.S. energy security, as reported by New Orleans CityBusiness. Turner and state officials say the new facilities are being designed to meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission standards so they can support small modular reactor projects and other advanced reactor builds.
Training Pipeline and What Comes Next
KATC reports that Turner and state leaders plan to team up with community colleges on targeted training programs to create a nuclear‑ready workforce, though officials say detailed curricula and launch dates have not yet been released. They also note that permitting, site buildout and procurement schedules will dictate when hiring ramps up and when contractor outreach starts in earnest. Local suppliers were encouraged to keep an eye on state procurement channels for contracting opportunities as the two sites move from planning into construction.
Founded in Baton Rouge in 1961, Turner remains a major Louisiana employer with multiple offices around the state, and regional business outlets pointed out that the expansion further ties the company’s fabrication footprint to Louisiana’s broader industrial game plan. Economic‑development leaders said the new projects could help attract other advanced‑energy suppliers to Acadiana and the Capital Region as Louisiana markets itself as a go‑to hub for nuclear manufacturing.
