Estes Energetics, a black powder, chemical and rocket motor manufacturing company, announced it is developing a new facility that will specialize in the production of chemicals critical to the defense industry. The $7.2 million investment will expand the company’s presence at the Louisiana National Guard’s Camp Minden Training Site and support its mission to strengthen the U.S. industrial base with flexible, modern manufacturing processes.
The company expects to create 12 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of more than $70,000, while retaining 22 current positions at its Louisiana operations, Goex Industries. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 39 indirect new jobs, for a total of 51 new jobs in the Northwest Region.
"Today’s announcement is a great example of the positive impact that Louisiana’s support for our nation’s military and national defense can have on our state’s economy," LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. "Estes Energetics’ second Camp Minden facility will create good-paying jobs for our skilled manufacturing workforce, and provide the U.S. Department of Defense with critical materials they need to keep our country safe."
The new production facility will be located on the Bossier Parish side of Camp Minden in a 30,000 square-foot building owned by the Louisiana National Guard and subleased to the company through the Louisiana National Guard Foundation.
The building, which has been vacant for over a decade, will be repurposed to manufacture potassium nitrate, barium nitrate, strontium nitrate, strontium oxalate, strontium peroxide, potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate and potassium sulfate. All are used in a wide range of industrial processes for the defense and other industries.
“Estes Energetics is excited to continue growing its role in the U.S. critical chemicals industrial base in partnership with the Department of Defense and state of Louisiana,” said Karl Kulling, CEO of Estes Energetics. “We are expanding our Camp Minden operations, where we recently restarted the only U.S. black powder plant which is well-suited to this type of work.”
Goex Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Estes Energetics, is the only producer of black powder in North America and has been operating in northwest Louisiana since 1997. In September 2023, the company was awarded a contract to become a supplier for the Department of Defense.
“Camp Minden is extremely excited with Goex Industries expansion plans and utilization of this location that has not been occupied by a commercial tenant since 2009,” Camp Minden Commander Lt. Col. Harry Wilson Jr. said. “Currently, Goex Industries is an active commercial tenant and this new location will add to their footprint on Camp Minden.”
Construction for the project is underway and is expected to be completed mid-2025 with pilot operations beginning the following year.
“The former Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant, now Camp Minden, has long been a valuable resource to Louisiana and the national defense,” Bossier Parish Police Juror Doug Rimmer said. “This new project with Estes Energetics is an exciting augmentation to the essential work being done at Camp Minden to support our armed services. This investment by Estes Energetics will help diversify our economy and provide good quality jobs for our citizens.”
To secure the project at Camp Minden, the state of Louisiana offered Estes Energetics a competitive incentives package including the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. It also includes a $550,000 Performance-Based Grant for building and infrastructure improvements to state-owned assets. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.
“The Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation is proud to welcome Estes Energetics to Bossier Parish and Camp Minden,” GBEDF President and Executive Director Rocky Rockett said. “Working with LED, it is our firm belief that they will enjoy many years of profitable success in Bossier Parish. This decision once again demonstrates the many offerings that Camp Minden and Bossier Parish can bring to the table to a variety of industries that enhance their bottom line and their productivity.”