Susan Bourgeois
Secretary
Louisiana’s aerospace sector is poised for expansion. Visit Louisiana Economic Development in Hall 3 Booth E194 at the Paris Air Show to learn more about Louisiana's business incentives and advantages.
Susan B. Bourgeois is responsible for leading Louisiana Economic Development, a state agency established in 1936, to cultivate jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana.
Baton Rouge, United States
Aerospace, Defense & Security, Maritime, Oil · Gas · Energy
From the early days of America’s space program to today’s cutting-edge aerospace manufacturing, Louisiana has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s aviation and aerospace industry. The state’s rich history includes NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where components for the Saturn V rocket that launched Apollo 11 were built. Today, that legacy continues at Michoud as Boeing manufactures components for NASA’s Artemis mission — the most powerful rocket ever built.
The industry landscape in Louisiana includes globally recognized aerospace companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Western Global Airlines, all with significant operations in the state. Louisiana is also home to innovative companies like Arrow Aviation and Metro Aviation, both of which were founded locally and have grown into key industry players.
Aviation and aerospace growth is supported by Louisiana’s strategic advantages, which includes superior infrastructure and logistics networks, abundant development-ready sites, expedited permitting processes and some of the most competitive incentive programs in the nation. These benefits are complemented by the state’s nationally award-winning workforce development program, LED FastStart, and partnerships with higher education institutions that sustain Louisiana’s strong advanced manufacturing talent pipeline.
One example of this commitment is the partnership between Louisiana Economic Development, Nunez Community College and industry leaders like Boeing, to develop an aerospace program that prepares students to become aerospace manufacturing technicians.
With a legacy rooted in space exploration and a future defined by innovation, Louisiana’s aviation and aerospace industry is soaring to new heights — fueling opportunity and shaping the next generation of aerospace workers and technology.
The industry landscape in Louisiana includes globally recognized aerospace companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Western Global Airlines, all with significant operations in the state. Louisiana is also home to innovative companies like Arrow Aviation and Metro Aviation, both of which were founded locally and have grown into key industry players.
Aviation and aerospace growth is supported by Louisiana’s strategic advantages, which includes superior infrastructure and logistics networks, abundant development-ready sites, expedited permitting processes and some of the most competitive incentive programs in the nation. These benefits are complemented by the state’s nationally award-winning workforce development program, LED FastStart, and partnerships with higher education institutions that sustain Louisiana’s strong advanced manufacturing talent pipeline.
One example of this commitment is the partnership between Louisiana Economic Development, Nunez Community College and industry leaders like Boeing, to develop an aerospace program that prepares students to become aerospace manufacturing technicians.
With a legacy rooted in space exploration and a future defined by innovation, Louisiana’s aviation and aerospace industry is soaring to new heights — fueling opportunity and shaping the next generation of aerospace workers and technology.
