Port of Columbia Secures $1 Million FastSites Loan for Rail Spur
Louisiana Economic Development has finalized a $1 million FastSites loan to the Port of Columbia, completing funding for a $7 million rail spur connecting to Union Pacific's main line.
The Port of Columbia has secured a $1 million loan through Louisiana Economic Development's FastSites program. This provides the final financing needed for a $7 million rail expansion project at the certified industrial site.
The loan, announced in Columbia, La., enables construction of a rail spur connecting the 400-acre port to Union Pacific's mainline. The Port of Columbia is located in Caldwell Parish and has direct access to the Ouachita River and U.S. Highway 165. The project already has funding from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the federal Delta Regional Authority’s Community Infrastructure Fund.
Darron McGuffee, the Columbia Port Commission President, highlighted the program's role. "For a rural port like Columbia, FastSites provides critical gap financing that allows us to turn committed infrastructure funding into a project under construction," McGuffee said. The FastSites program offers flexible, low-cost, repayable infrastructure financing to help communities prepare industrial sites.
Project details and timeline
The new rail spur will connect the port to Union Pacific’s Monroe Subdivision. Columbia is about 30 miles south of Monroe, Louisiana. The port expects to open the project for bids in November.
Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. Completion is targeted for 2028. The spur will provide another transportation option for moving goods and materials, aiming to attract industrial investment like the potential Louisiana Green Fuels project.
Leadership and local context
State and local leaders framed the loan as a catalyst for broader development. Landon Lemoine, director of strategic investments for Louisiana Economic Development, noted the program helps make selected sites more attractive to businesses. The investment reflects continued industrial development in Caldwell Parish.
Rob Cleveland, CEO of regional economic development group Grow NELA, and state senator Glen Womack were also noted in the announcement. Caldwell Parish resident Marny Fife was present, underscoring local community interest. The project could benefit the broader community by increasing jobs, income, and revenue.
Funding structure and repayment
The $1 million loan combines with prior state and federal grants to cover the total $7 million project cost. The FastSites program is designed to be repaid, with the state intending to recover the funds for future projects.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Project Cost | $7 million |
| FastSites Loan Amount | $1 million |
| Repayment Start | 2027 |
| Full Repayment Expected | End of 2031 |
Repayment of the loan is scheduled to begin in 2027. The full $1 million is expected to be returned by the end of 2031. Darron McGuffee added that the investment gives the port the financial flexibility needed to maintain its construction schedule.
The port expects to open the project for bids in November.
