Austrian investments propel Louisiana to FDI leadership
Companies like Benteler have made some of the most transformative investments in Louisiana’s recent history, and the state stands ready to assist additional potential Austrian investors. Louisiana’s business climate combines a variety of competitive advantages, including the nation’s No. 1 ranked state workforce training program, low industrial operating costs and robust international transportation options, placing the state as a leading environment for foreign direct investment.
Notable Austrian Investment in Louisiana
- Benteler Steel/Tube- In October 2012, Benteler Steel/Tube announced a $975 million, two-phase facility that will include both a seamless steel tube mill and a steel mill. The project, on 330 acres at The Port of Caddo-Bossier, is one of the largest manufacturing projects in Northwest Louisiana’s history. In addition to creating 675 direct jobs, Louisiana State University estimates it is resulting in 1,540 new indirect jobs. The steel tubes produced by the facility will be used for the exploration and transportation of oil and gas, as well as for the generation of power and mechanical applications.
- Schoeller-Bleckmann Energy Services – Manufacturing facility for oil & gas services
Trade between Austria and Louisiana
| Exports to Austria | |
|---|---|
| Organic Chemicals | $1.1 million |
| Aircraft, Spacecraft, and Parts Thereof | $745,426 |
| Miscellaneous Edible Preparations | $655,971 |
| Mineral Fuel, Oil Etc.; Bitumin Subst; Mineral Wax | $511,562 |
| Optic, Photo Etc., Medic or Surgical Instruments Etc. | $391,071 |
| Inorg Chem; Prec & Rare-earth Met & Radioact Compd | $98,914 |
| Wadding, Felt Etc; Sp Yarn; Twine, Ropes Etc. | $22,990 |
| Works Of Art, Collectors' Pieces and Antiques | $11,895 |
| Arms and Ammunition; Parts and Accessories Thereof | $10,354 |
| Electric Machinery Etc; Sound Equip; Tv Equip; Parts | $9,360 |
| TOTAL | $3.5 MILLILON |
| Imports from Austria | |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery Etc.; Parts | $144 million |
| Articles of Iron or Steel | $4.4 million |
| Wood and Articles of Wood; Wood Charcoal | $3.5 million |
| Organic Chemicals | $3.5 million |
| Optic, Photo Etc., Medic or Surgical Instruments Etc. | $1.4 million |
| Plastics and Articles Thereof | $1.4 million |
| Electric Machinery Etc.; Sound Equip; TV Equip; Pts | $660,224 |
| Salt; Sulphur; Earth & Stone; Lime & Cement Plaster | $498,575 |
| Iron and Steel | $488,506 |
| Miscellaneous Chemical Products | $381,440 |
| TOTAL | $160.7 MILLION |
Cultural Ties and Resources
The Austrian Marshall Plan Center at the University of New Orleans (UNO) is one of only three Austrian Centers in North America. UNO has maintained a partnership with the University of Innsbruck since 1976. The universities offer student exchanges, research, and publication projects. Learn more here.