On Thursday, Nov. 28, the Central Louisiana Regional Port (CLRP) announced its reception of $1.2 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act through the Delta Regional Authority.

The funding will be used for infrastructure expansion at the CLRP to support growing operations for DIS-TRAN Packaged Substations (DTPS), a Crest Industries company.  

DTPS designs and builds electrical substations for projects across the United States, and the need to manufacture this type of transmission infrastructure for the national electric grid is at the highest point in decades. The growing demand for DTPS’ Factory-Built Substations sparked conversations between company leaders and the port’s management team about the need to further develop facilities at the CLRP.

Crest Industries has been a long-time tenant at the port, and both leadership teams have developed a strong relationship focused on continued growth and economic development of the area.

“DTPS has housed their manufacturing operations at the port since 2015, and during that time, we’ve developed a great partnership with the managers of the CLRP,” says Crest Industries CEO and Owner Kenny Robison.

CLRP Executive Director, Ben Russo, says the port team understands “DIS-TRAN is growing at a fast pace and needs more space to store materials, supplies, and finished goods.” Russo and his team worked to secure funding to ensure the port’s facilities could meet the manufacturing operation's needs for growth in the central Louisiana region.

The proposed expansion will occur in phases and many details are still in discussion; however, this is already a great development for the CLRP, Crest Industries, DTPS, and community partners in central Louisiana. Read more at KALB.com.