Cameron Parish Port: Progress in Motion. Promise in Sight.

Cameron Parish has long been defined by its resilience. From hurricanes to industry shifts, the community has weathered more than its share of challenges. 

Today, the Cameron Parish Port, Harbor and Terminal District is playing a central role in shaping a comeback story; one built on strategic investment, support for traditional industries and strong advocacy at both the state and national level. 

Over the past three years, the port has secured over $16 million in funding for infrastructure and development projects, laying the groundwork for growth that will benefit parish residents for decades to come. Those efforts range from rebuilding docks to supporting the seafood industry, all while ensuring that Cameron Parish has a strong voice in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C. 

One of the most visible success stories is the creation of the Alternative Oyster Culture (AOC) Park in Calcasieu Lake. The 48-acre park, created with $100,000 in grants from LDWF and Sea Grant, provides fishermen with an opportunity to farm oysters in a less vulnerable environment, helping strengthen the local seafood industry while also restoring the ecosystem. Every plot in the park is currently leased, and the port is looking to expand. Current fishermen are putting down anchors in what promises to be a long-term economic and cultural asset for the parish. 

At the same time, the port has moved strategically to purchase property both for security purposes and for future development. By preparing sites that can be leased to tenants, the port is creating opportunities for new businesses to take root in Cameron Parish, bringing in much-needed tax dollars that support schools, public safety and parish services while helping ease the future tax burden on residents. 

Bringing federal and state tax dollars back to Cameron Parish has been another major focus. Working alongside Gus Fontenot with the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, the port was awarded two Louisiana Competes grants totaling more than $420,000 to fortify site development. On top of that, $5.9 million in State Capital Outlay funding has been secured for infrastructure, $10.1 million in LADOTD Port Priority Program grants to restore and expand docks, and applications are currently being prepared for the FEMA Port Security Grant Program to build infrastructure for a port security facility. These projects are designed not only to improve operations today but also to attract new industry tomorrow, ensuring that the parish can grow its tax base. 

The port’s advocacy has been just as important as the funding. By working alongside state legislators and Louisiana’s congressional delegation, the port has made sure Cameron Parish’s needs are not overlooked. Those efforts have helped secure the kind of long-term commitments and investments that smaller parishes often struggle to attract. Taken together, these wins show the port’s commitment to balancing tradition with progress. By strengthening the parish’s historic fishing industry, building modern infrastructure and advocating for coastal Louisiana on the state and national stage, the Cameron Parish Port is ensuring that the parish is not only recovering but building a foundation for future prosperity. 

As Port Director Kim Montie summed up: “Our job at the port is to make sure Cameron Parish is prepared—for industry, for growth and for opportunity. Everything we’re doing today is about creating a stronger tomorrow for our people.”