Governor Jeff Landry said the project demonstrates how coordinated state and federal support “strengthens our economy, expands opportunity, and supports long-term job growth in Southwest Louisiana,” crediting FEMA, LED, the Louisiana congressional delegation, and the President for helping advance the project.
The Chennault expansion arrives as Southwest Louisiana continues long-term recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta, which caused more than $17 billion in damage across the region. FEMA has increasingly directed resilience and economic-recovery funds toward infrastructure that supports industrial capacity and stable employment—an approach seen in hurricane-impacted states including Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico.
The new hangar positions Chennault to attract additional maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) work, a fast-growing sector nationally. Airports in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Georgia have made similar state-supported investments in large MRO facilities to draw aerospace manufacturers, completion centers, and fleet refurbishment operations. Chennault already hosts firms such as Northrop Grumman and Citadel Completions, and the added capacity is expected to strengthen its competitiveness along the Gulf Coast.
Congressman Clay Higgins said his office will “continue to be a resource to the aviation industry in Louisiana,” adding that the investment expands commercial opportunities and regional economic resilience. Chennault Executive Director Kevin Melton called the announcement the result of four years of planning to increase operational capacity and align with LED’s five pillars for statewide prosperity.
