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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Australia-Based Birdon America Expands Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, Operations

06/18/2024
Birdon America, the U.S. arm of an Australia-based marine engineering and construction firm, plans to expand operations in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The $3.3 million project is expected to create 25 jobs.

The investment will allow the company to provide engineering design, supply chain, construction, and program management support for a new $1.1 billion U.S. Coast Guard contract. The U.S. Coast Guard awarded the contract in 2023 to enhance maintenance and protection of the U.S. Intracoastal and Inland Marine Transportation System.

“Louisiana is a major hub for shipbuilding in America,” said Robert Scott, President of Birdon America. “It made sense to grow in this area based on the history of the workforce, supply chain availability for shipbuilding and geographic proximity to bodies of water. Birdon’s commitment to helping grow the defense industry base is shown by over 98% of our suppliers are U.S. companies and 70% of the contract will be performed by small businesses, many of them in Louisiana.”

To support the project Louisiana Economic Development (LED) offered an incentives package that included the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs program.

“Birdon America’s decision to stay and grow in Louisiana to help build the vessels that protect our ports is a testament to the economic impact of Louisiana’s longstanding support for the U.S. military and national defense,” noted LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois. “A billion-dollar defense contract, high-paying new engineering jobs and the local expansion of a respected global employer demonstrate what is possible for maritime companies doing business in our state.”

Birdon is a diversified global group of companies providing whole of life solutions to the maritime, military and resource sectors. The company has operations across the U.S., Australia, Europe, and Asia.

"We celebrate the expansion of Birdon America's facility and continued commitment to Jefferson Parish," added Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. "This investment not only reinforces Louisiana's proud shipbuilding legacy but also brings new manufacturing jobs to our region, fueling economic growth and opportunity. Birdon America's commitment to innovation will be made possible by two of the state's most valuable business incentives that focus on local job creation."

“The Birdon America expansion is a significant retention success for Jefferson Parish,” said JEDCO president and CEO Jerry Bologna. “Not only will Birdon’s continued investment in our community create new jobs and partnership opportunities, but also it reinforces our position as a global leader in the engineering and defense industries. We are proud to support Birdon America’s growth in Jefferson Parish.”

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