Shreveport’s Former GM Plant Roars Back to Life with New Businesses

SHREVEPORT, LA

 The old GM plant in Shreveport has a new heartbeat, and it’s stronger than ever. Long gone are the days of empty lots and unanswered questions. Today, the sprawling facility is home to thriving operations that are fueling economic development across Caddo Parish. 

SLB Leads the Charge with Over 700 Jobs 

At the center of it all is SLB (formerly Schlumberger), which has taken over more than half of the facility, about 1.7 million of the nearly 3.3 million square feet. They initially committed to 596 jobs but have already exceeded 700, manufacturing advanced cooling and energy systems for data centers. That kind of growth is exactly what local leaders had hoped for when they began reimagining the site years ago. 

A Thriving Business Park with USPS and Hyundai Glovis

Joining SLB on the campus are the U.S. Postal Service and Hyundai Glovis, which handles automotive prep work. As Justyn Dixon from the North Louisiana Economic Partnership told KEEL News on Wednesday, the transformation has been “fantastic.” The facility is now branded as a three-port business park and is becoming a major regional asset. 

Ownership Structure and Potential Sale 

Ownership still technically rests with the Caddo Parish Commission, although IRG, a private real estate group, leases and manages the site. IRG has the option to purchase the property, a deal that was negotiated years ago when the plant sat largely vacant. If that purchase goes through, it won’t affect the businesses already operating on-site, leases are in place, and momentum is growing. 

Space Still Available for the Right Fit 

While 2 to 2.5 million square feet have been leased, roughly 700,000 to a million square feet remain available. Dixon said it’s still a prime fit for manufacturing, given the available industrial utilities, water, and power capacity. 

More Good News: Ward 2 Earns National Recognition 

But it’s not just about one site. North Louisiana is also home to Ward 2, a 950-acre industrial park just south of Vivian. Recently named the only U.S. “Gold-Level Site” by rail giant CPKC (The resulting company from the Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS), Merger) , it’s being actively marketed and master-planned for future development.

Libby Glass Plant on the Horizon 

Dixon also confirmed ongoing interest in the Libby Glass Plant near I-20, saying it's in the final due diligence phase for a potential redevelopment. Its location and infrastructure make it an ideal site for industrial reuse.