HACKBERRY, LA (AP) — A fifth workers village is being proposed in Cameron Parish — a $70 million facility with 2,500 beds in Hackberry.
Sammy Pate, project manager at Greenfield Logistical Solutions of Louisiana, is proposing what he calls "a full on workers village" on a 170-acre site on Louisiana Highway 27. It's the same company that began construction on temporary employee villages in Lake Charles and Vinton.
The American Press reports a public meeting will be held Wednesday at the Hackberry fire station.
Residents are invited to hear a presentation from GLS, as well as vendors or businesses interested in seeking job opportunities. "When we have the meeting we'll address the specific, hot button issues that the community is interested in like security," Pate said. "People want to have a level of comfort and know how the facility will be run."
The only hurdle the company faces is passage by the Cameron Police Jury, which will formally hear the proposal for the first time at its regular meeting Thursday. Pate said he doesn't anticipate action being taken by the Police Jury on Thursday.
A fourth employee village by another company — First Flight Holdings — was approved in June on Southland Field airport property, spurring controversy among Carlyss residents. And more recently, Rosie's Place was initiated to create a community for transient female workers in the petrochemical industry. Similar to the concept behind the area's "man camps," Rosie's Place will provide housing, transportation and other amenities to a smaller segment of the transient worker population.
There are no specifics on construction dates, if approved, for the Hackberry employee village.
Accommodations include a kitchen, fitness center, an onsite medical clinic, recreational areas and computer labs.
"It will have all the basic, modern features we have in our facilities," Pate said.
Parish Administrator Ryan Bourriaque said he will not comment on the project until details are released at Thursday's Police Jury meeting.
