Making an Impact
Southeastern plays key role in 2013 Strategic Infrastructure Project of the Year
Thursday, January 23, 2014
The Louisiana International Gulf Transfer Terminal (LIGTT) project was recently named the 2013 Strategic Infrastructure Project of the Year by industry experts and the nation's leading strategic infrastructure firm. Southeastern's College of Business played a key role in the project by preparing an economic impact study for the venture.
Designed to capture increased cargo traffic along the Asia-Pacific trade route transiting the Panama Canal, the $1.13 billion containerized-cargo transfer terminal and its network of northern Gulf of Mexico ports and Mississippi River distribution centers would create thousands of jobs and add billions to the U.S. economy. Construction of the project is expected to begin in late 2015.
Rendering of proposed transfer terminal to be located at the mouth of the Mississippi River
Southeastern provided faculty research and expertise on the transfer terminal and its potential economic benefits to region, as well as served as a liaison between the Panama Canal Authority and the LIGTT project. The economic impact study provided initial data that led to approval of the project's government application.
Earlier in 2013, Southeastern formalized its relationship with Panama's Free Trade Zone when the university signed an agreement as the zone's educational partner. As part of the agreement, Southeastern offers executive and professional development for the zone's international companies and their executives and employees.
CG/LA Infrastructure, the nation's leading strategic infrastructure firm, announced the Project of the Year at the Fifth Annual Strategic Infrastructure Leadership Form in Washington, D.C. in late 2013. Voted on by infrastructure industry experts, the LIGTT project tied for Strategic Project of the Year with the East Side Access project in New York.
