The Hyundai Steel Mill is 100% on Track

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois joins the show to clarify recent media reports suggesting Hyundai might be reconsidering its major investment in Donaldsonville. Bourgeois emphasized that the project is fully on track and progressing according to the cooperative agreement between the state and Hyundai. The confusion stemmed from a months-old email exchange regarding infrastructure capacity concerns, which was misinterpreted and resurfaced as a news story. Bourgeois explained that such correspondence is routine, especially given the time zone difference with Hyundai’s Korean headquarters, and that the concerns had already been addressed months ago.She stressed that the Hyundai project remains active, with phase two of roadwork breaking ground imminently. The misinformation did not impact other economic development efforts, and no damage control was needed with other prospects. Bourgeois expressed frustration over the misuse of public records requests to support inaccurate narratives, which diverts valuable resources from actual development work.Despite the media misstep, Louisiana’s economic development pipeline is thriving. Bourgeois revealed that LED is actively working on over 200 real projects, with 25 considered high-priority and likely to reach final investment decisions within six months. These represent billions in potential investment and thousands of jobs. She credited recent tax reforms, regulatory improvements, and workforce development efforts for making Louisiana an attractive destination for business.Looking ahead, Bourgeois warned against reverting to old habits of political infighting and siloed governance. She praised the current administration’s unified approach and urged continued collaboration to sustain momentum. In her words, Louisiana is “making hay while the sun shines,” and the state must stay the course to ensure long-term prosperity.