Posted by Heidi Schwartz
Gov. Bobby Jindal and Danos President and CEO Hank Danos have announced the company will retain its headquarters in Louisiana and that Danos & Curole Marine Contractors LLC has selected a site in Gray, LA, for its new $10 million corporate headquarters facility. In addition, Danos announced it is evaluating multiple Louisiana port locations to select where it will build a new $20 million manufacturing and fabrication facility.
A strategic construction and services partner for major oil and gas companies, Danos will create 426 new jobs over the next five years as it leverages new deepwater oil and gas opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico, along with land-based and international energy growth opportunities. LED estimates the Louisiana projects, with their combined $30 million capital investment, will result in an additional 871 new indirect jobs, for a total of nearly 1,300 new jobs in the state. Of the 426 new direct jobs, 326 will be at the headquarters site with salaries averaging $75,000 per year, plus benefits. The remaining 100 new direct jobs will be created at the manufacturing site with salaries averaging $65,000 per year, plus benefits.
“The Danos family business has deep roots in South Louisiana: The heritage and culture of this area are important to who we are as a company,” company CEO Hank Danos said. “We appreciate the commitment of our state’s leadership. The Governor and the Secretary of Economic Development are shaping an environment that is beneficial to attracting and retaining companies who are creating good jobs in our state and region. We are thankful that our employees, customers and the state recognize the importance of our dedication to excellence in safety and job execution.”
LED’s Business Expansion and Retention Group, or BERG, worked with Danos to identify growth opportunities within Louisiana. To secure the headquarters and manufacturing project, the state offered Danos a customized incentives package that includes a performance-based, $1.5 million Economic Development Award Program grant to provide infrastructure improvements for the new manufacturing location. The state also will provide the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart® state workforce development training program. In addition, Danos is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
“We are honored that Danos has chosen Terrebonne Parish for its new facility,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said. “Terrebonne Parish is truly fortunate to receive this vote of confidence by one of the most respected and admired companies in Louisiana. We welcome Danos to Terrebonne Parish as we continue build a community that is attractive to such great companies.
Construction of the headquarters facility will begin by early fall, with the manufacturing site to be selected within three months and construction of that facility to begin before the end of 2013. Danos has begun the design process with renowned architect firm Gensler and has contracted Louisiana’s own MAPP Construction as the general contractor. Both new facilities will be complete by the end of 2014. Hiring of the new headquarters positions will begin later this year, with new manufacturing positions being filled beginning in 2014.
