Agile Building Cold Storage Facility In Pearl River, La.
Agile Cold Storage began construction in June of a $45.9 million cold storage facility in Pearl River, La., to service the chicken and beef protein industry. Located near the Louisiana-Mississippi state line with connections to I-10, I-12 and I-59, the completed facility will be able to export up to 100 containers per week through the Port of New Orleans.
Located just 40 miles from the Port of New Orleans, Agile noted the facility is also 50 miles from the Port of Gulfport, Miss.
The 121,000 square foot facility will serve food processors and manufacturers throughout the Southeast, with operations expected to begin in spring 2025.
“The facility will offer blast freezing as well as import and export capabilities primarily through the Port of New Orleans container terminal,” Agile’s Chris Austin said.
The Port of New Orleans offers access to a majority of the globe, including major markets in Central and South America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East, Austin added.
Headquartered in Gainesville, Ga., Agile Cold Storage is a diversified storage and logistics solutions company serving North American food processors. The company helps food processors prepare fresh foods for transport to its ultimate destination by blast-freezing and packaging it for transport using automated, multi-temperature and conventional warehousing with logistical support.
“From the bayous to the bustling cities, our new warehouse in Louisiana is not just bricks and steel,” said Agile Cold Storage President and CEO Don Schoenl. “It’s a testament to our growth and dedication to serving this incredible community with efficiency and pride.”
To secure the project, the state of Louisiana offered Agile a competitive incentives package that included the comprehensive workforce development solutions of the FastStart program of Louisiana Economic Development (LED).
The program also offers a performance-based grant of $1.5 million to be used for reimbursement of company expenditures contingent upon board approval and meeting investment and payroll targets. Agile is also expected to participate in Louisiana’s Quality Jobs program.
“This investment from Agile Cold Storage is a testament to the region’s competitive incentive offerings, strategic location and robust infrastructure,” said Michael Hecht, CEO of Greater New Orleans Inc. “These operations will help boost St. Tammany Parish’s position as a key player in the global logistics industry and highly sought after cold storage to support the region’s growing food manufacturing industry.”
The facility is projected to create 100 direct new jobs with an annual salary of about $53,000 and result in another 95 indirect jobs.
“Agile Cold Storage’s investment in St. Tammany Parish demonstrates the unique logistical advantages Louisiana has to offer businesses that keep America’s supply chains flowing smoothly,” said LED Secretary Susan Bonnett Bourgeois. “This project is a win for the North Shore (of Lake Pontchartrain), the state economy and the workers of Louisiana.”
Noting the location near interstate highways and ports, St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill said. “Agile is a highly respected, quickly expanding company on a national scale, and they will be a strong member of our business community.”
“Agile Cold Storage is exactly the type of business that we welcome in Pearl River—a growing distribution and logistics company with competitive, well-paying jobs,” said Joe Lee, mayor of Pearl River. “Their decision to invest in our community and hire locally is a tremendous sign of progress for our town. This is truly a right-fit project for our local economy.”
