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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 12pm

St. Mary Parish Economic Development

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Franklin, LA
St. Mary Parish Economic Development

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Acting as a key liaison between the public and private sectors of St. Mary Parish.

10/19/2026

📊Education is a key part of St. Mary Parish’s workforce pipeline.

South Louisiana Community College serves nearly 12,000 students annually, helping strengthen the workforce pipeline across the region.

In St. Mary Parish, SoLAcc’s Franklin and Morgan City campuses provide local access to education and technical training in fields tied directly to the parish’s economy, including maritime, manufacturing, welding, machining, healthcare and more.

Strong local training helps build the workforce St. Mary’s industries need to grow.

10/16/2026

🧭 In St. Mary, geography works for business!

St. Mary Parish offers strategic access to major markets across South Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.

Located near Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the parish is connected by highway, rail, water and air, giving businesses multiple ways to move people, products and materials efficiently.

That combination of location and access helps companies reach customers, suppliers and transportation networks across the region and beyond.

10/12/2026

🚢 Why St. Mary?

St. Mary Parish is built for access.

Businesses here are connected by water, rail, highway and air, with direct links to regional, national and international markets through the Port of Morgan City and the surrounding transportation network.

That connectivity gives companies more ways to move products, reach customers and support operations across South Louisiana, the Gulf Coast and beyond.
In St. Mary, location is more than geography. It’s an advantage.

10/08/2026

📊 St. Mary by the Numbers: $300 Million Investment

Saronic Technologies is investing $300 million to expand its Franklin shipyard, adding more than 300,000 square feet of shipbuilding capacity and creating 1,500 direct jobs at full employment.

The project represents a major investment in St. Mary Parish’s maritime future, expanding local production capacity while creating new opportunities for the workforce that has long supported this industry.

$300M investment. 1,500 direct jobs. 300,000+ square feet of added capacity.

This is St. Mary.

10/07/2026

📈 Momentum continues to build across St. Mary Parish.

Major private investment. New jobs. Expanding infrastructure. Homegrown manufacturers scaling their operations. New technology strengthening industries that have been part of this parish for generations.

Over the next month, we’re taking a closer look at the people, projects and advantages driving St. Mary’s economy forward.

This is St. Mary Momentum.

09/10/2026

A big milestone for Saronic Technologies’ $300 million shipyard expansion in Franklin! 🏗️

The final structural beam has been placed, marking an important step toward the completion of the expanded facility. The project will add more than 300,000 square feet to Saronic’s existing shipyard, including three new slips, expanded warehouse space, and a dedicated production line for its autonomous vessels.

With 1,500 jobs projected as part of the expansion, this investment represents an exciting opportunity for our parish. The project is helping strengthen our maritime industry while bringing new jobs and continued economic growth to the area.

We’re excited to see this project take shape and look forward to what’s ahead for Saronic and St. Mary Parish!

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Wishing everyone across St. Mary Parish a safe and enjoyable Labor Day as we celebrate the contributions of our local workforce.

Our office will be closed today in observance of the holiday.

09/03/2026

The Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival is back for its 91st year! 🦐

For generations, this annual celebration has brought visitors to Morgan City to experience the food, music, culture, and traditions that make St. Mary Parish unique.

The festival also contributes to the local economy by bringing visitors to the area and generating business for restaurants, shops, and other local businesses.

We’re proud to see this beloved tradition continue to bring people together and showcase all that St. Mary Parish has to offer!

04/17/2026

Many first-time business owners assume getting funding requires years of experience, but that’s not the case. There are programs designed to guide and support new entrepreneurs every step of the way, helping turn ideas into reality.

Take advantage of the support available to set your business up for success. Visit our website to unlock resources and opportunities to help your business grow.

04/16/2026

Now that we’re in Q2, it’s a good time to take a step back and look at your business with intention. A quarterly check-in helps you measure progress, identify gaps, and make sure your goals still reflect where you want to go.

Priorities can shift quickly, and what made sense at the start of the year may need adjusting. Reviewing your goals each quarter keeps your strategy clear and your decisions more focused.

Consistent check-ins help you stay on track and make smarter moves as your business grows.

Address

500 Main Street
Franklin, LA
70538

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 12pm

Website

https://stmaryparishdevelopment.com/contact

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