Modeste residents against industry expansion in Ascension Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Ascension Parish residents and advocates want leaders to consider economic development plans as the parish seeks proposals for a residential buyout and relocation plan.

The West Bank buyout plan centers around future industrial projects at the 17,000-acre RiverPlex MegaPark. Parish government officials seek a firm to develop a plan addressing the buyout area boundaries, relocation options, strategies to keep residents and revitalization goals.

“These families have lived there for generations and now you call progress removing them from the land and making that ultimate sacrifice so we can have the West Bank grow? This should be the last resort to develop Donaldsonville into the community that it could be,” Ashley Gaingard, a Donaldsonville resident and Rural Roots Louisiana president, said.

Advocates said a relocation plan would erase heritage and impact hundreds of residents. They want to see the development of economic development plans for stores and schools.

Lifelong Modeste resident Twila Collins said the community doesn’t want to be disrupted by industry, adding that there is enough pollution. She recalled memories of a Modeste from years ago, describing it as a “nice and beautiful community.”

“Why should we, the residents, be forced to move and give up our land to satisfy the hunger and greed of our political leaders?” Collins questioned.

Gov. Jeff Landry has publicly supported new industrial projects announced in the parish.

Major Ascension Parish projects announced in 2025

• $5.8 billion Hyundai steel mill 
• $4 billion CF Industries ammonia production facility
• $400 million investment for air separation unit

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