Gov. John Bel Edwards and Richard’s Cajun Foods Inc. President Ronnie Doucet announced Richard’s will invest $2.7 million to relocate some production and administrative functions to Church Point, Louisiana, and expand the company’s operations there. With the expansion, the food processing company will retain 38 jobs and will create 12 new direct jobs, with an average annual salary of $35,000. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 16 new indirect jobs, for a total of 28 new jobs in the Acadiana Region.
The Richard’s Church Point facility will feature 28,000 square feet of production and office space. As part of the expansion, the company is adding 6,000 square feet of space, as well as renovating 3,000 square feet of existing space in the Church Point facility. In addition to expanding the facility, Richard’s is relocating some production operations from Milwaukee to Church Point. The company anticipates construction beginning in January 2019, with completion by March 2019. Commercial operations will not cease during the expansion, and hiring for the new jobs will begin in early 2019.
Richard’s is a producer of Cajun food products, including smoked sausage, boudin and prepared entrees.
Louisiana Economic Development began working on a potential expansion with Richard’s in July 2018. To secure the facility expansion in Acadia Parish, the State of Louisiana offered the company a competitive incentive package that includes a $125,000 performance-based loan from LED’s Economic Development Award Program. The company also is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Enterprise Zone and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
