Agile Cold Storage to Build $46 Million Facility in Pearl River, Creating 100 Jobs
A storage and logistics company, Agile Cold Storage, is set to build a $46 million, 150,000-square-foot cold storage facility in Pearl River. This development will create 100 new jobs and aligns with St. Tammany Parish’s economic development strategy of attracting logistics and distribution companies, economic development officials announced on Tuesday.
Agile Cold Storage, which serves food manufacturers, processors, and growers across the U.S., will construct the facility on 10 acres at the St. Joe Brick Works site, according to Chris Masingill, head of St. Tammany Corporation, the parish’s economic development agency.
Strategic Location
The new Agile warehouse will be strategically located near the Associated Wholesale Grocers distribution facility and Rooms To Go Outlet, just off Interstate 59. This location is expected to enhance logistical efficiency for the company.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
The 100 new direct jobs created by the facility will offer salaries around $53,000, according to a news release from St. Tammany Corporation. Additionally, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) estimates that the project will generate 95 new indirect jobs, further boosting the local economy.
“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, who resides in Covington. “This project is a win for the Northshore, the state economy, and the workers of Louisiana.”
Incentives and Support
The state has offered Agile Cold Storage an incentives package that includes a $1.5 million performance-based grant. This grant will reimburse the company for site improvement expenditures, contingent on board approval and the company meeting specific investment and payroll targets, according to the news release.
In addition to state incentives, Agile Cold Storage will benefit from workforce training through the LED FastStart program, which aims to provide customized recruitment, screening, and training solutions for businesses in Louisiana.
Masingill also mentioned that the company will take advantage of a St. Tammany Parish incentive, which reduces about two-thirds of the company’s parish property taxes for 10 years. In return, the company commits to reinvest that money into construction and other costs. The company is expected to have an annual payroll of $5.4 million.
Operations and Future Plans
Based in Gainesville, Georgia, Agile Cold Storage specializes in blast-freezing and packing food for shipping. The new Pearl River facility is expected to handle about 100 containers of food shipments per week, which will be sent to the Port of New Orleans for export, according to the news release.
“Agile Cold Storage’s investment is a testament to the robust infrastructure and economic potential of St. Tammany Parish,” Masingill said. “This facility will not only create jobs but also strengthen our position as a key player in the logistics and distribution sector.”
Site work for the new facility is expected to begin soon, with construction projected to take between eight to 14 months. Once completed, the facility will enhance the region’s capacity to handle and export food products efficiently, contributing to the local and state economy.
The new Agile Cold Storage facility marks a significant investment in St. Tammany Parish, reflecting the region’s growing appeal as a hub for logistics and distribution. This project is poised to provide substantial economic benefits and job opportunities for the local community while reinforcing Louisiana’s role in America’s supply chain infrastructure.
