Cargill to Invest $34 Million to Modernize Breaux Bridge Salt Processing Facility

BREAUX BRIDGE, La. – Cargill, a major international supplier of food, agricultural and industrial products with operations in 70 countries, is upgrading its St. Martin Parish facility that produces food, water conditioning and salt products for a variety of industries. The $34 million modernization project to replace dated equipment and add safety enhancements will enable Cargill to retain 70 jobs at the facility near Breaux Bridge.

“Louisiana’s rural communities are prime locations for new and expanding investments driving our state’s economic growth,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “Cargill serves a range of industries, both here in Louisiana and across the globe. Its commitment to job retention and reinvestment in its Acadiana Region site reflects the state’s skilled manufacturing workforce and superior logistics, which put the international markets Cargill serves within reach.”

Proposed upgrades include replacing older manufacturing equipment with more productive machinery that will allow the plant to operate more efficiently. Cargill has operated the facility since 1971.

“This investment will help make critical enhancements to our operations in Louisiana, an important piece of our production footprint, and will allow us to continue to deliver quality products to our customers,” said Sonya Roberts, president of Cargill’s salt business. “We’re committed to the Breaux Bridge community and our employees in the area, and are delighted to continue our partnership with the State of Louisiana and St. Martin Parish.”

To secure the facility modernization in Breaux Bridge, the state of Louisiana is providing Cargill with a competitive incentive package that includes a $200,000 award from the state’s Retention and Modernization program. The company is also expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

“The prospective enhancement of Cargill’s plant in the Breaux Bridge area is indeed a positive development for St. Martin Parish,” Parish President Chester Cedars said. “We are particularly pleased that numerous job opportunities will be protected by Cargill’s investment, which signifies both the company’s commitment to our parish and a recognition that St. Martin Parish offers attractive opportunities for business and industry.”

“St. Martin Parish is thrilled with the planned modernization of Cargill’s Breaux Bridge facility,” St. Martin Economic Development Authority President and CEO Jennifer Stelly said. “Not only does this new investment ensure the retention of numerous jobs, but it also represents Cargill’s commitment to St. Martin Parish’s economy, community, and workforce. We are honored to have Cargill as a part of our business community.”

“We congratulate Cargill on this investment,” said Troy Wayman, president and CEO of One Acadiana. “Cargill’s commitment to growth is a testament to their homegrown workforce and Acadiana’s strong manufacturing and agribusiness ecosystem.”

About Cargill
Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve the company’s purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, Cargill connects farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. The company combines 157 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries and, side by side, to build a stronger, stainable future for agriculture. For more information, visit Cargill.com.

About LED

 Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state’s business environment and creating a more vibrant Louisiana economy. It is the only state agency in the U.S. accredited by the International Economic Development Council, boasting a wide range of award-winning programs and projects routinely ranked among the nation’s best. In 2021, LED attracted 64 new economic development projects representing over 18,100 new direct and indirect jobs, 9,700 retained jobs and more than $20.5 billion in new capital investment. Explore how LED cultivates jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana, and promotes business opportunity for employers of all sizes at OpportunityLouisiana.com.