Ascension Parish

A coalition consisting of residents, labor representatives, and environmental groups is demanding greater transparency regarding Hyundai’s planned steel mill facility. Community members are currently weighing the potential promise of new jobs against concerns about the project’s possible impact.

Burlington is set to open a new store in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, by renovating the former Big Lots space in Gonzales Plaza Shopping Center. Big Lots closed its Gonzales location after a national sale of leases and subsequent Chapter 11 bankruptcy led to 500 store closures, including in Louisiana. Burlington currently operates 12 stores in Louisiana and has expanded from its origins as Burlington Coat Factory to a nationwide off-price retailer with over 1,000 locations.

Ascension Parish is advancing the construction of Cara’s House Animal Welfare Center, with site work procurement set to begin soon. The new facility, designed to house 148 dogs and 164 cats, will be built two feet above flood elevation and funded by a 1-mill animal shelter tax approved in 2019. Construction is expected to start in 2027 and take 12–18 months.

Woman's Hospital will deploy its mobile mammography coach to Ascension, East Baton Rouge, St. Helena, and Assumption parishes in August. The initiative aims to provide accessible mammography services to these areas.

Ascension Parish announced two new construction projects and several real estate transactions. Key developments include a $3 million church building in Prairieville and a $400,000 mixed-use metal building in Geismar, alongside property acquisitions by Level Homes and Eica Holdings. The Ascension Chamber will host business events, including a carbon capture session and an annual Business Expo.

Ascension Parish’s housing market saw increased home sales, listings, and prices in June 2026, with a 15.1% year-over-year rise in sales and a 3.1% increase in median home prices. The parish recorded the highest home prices in the Baton Rouge area, with demand concentrated on homes below $400,000 and limited inventory.

Waffle House has applied for construction permits in Prairieville, Ascension Parish, marking the first potential location in the area. The menu would include items like waffles, bacon, eggs, hash browns, and toast.

Ascension Parish has completed its interim closure role at the former LAlumina site, transitioning the site to long-term closure under Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) oversight. The parish previously covered waste ponds with soil to suppress red dust complaints, and permanent remediation is expected to cost $13–18 million, funded partly by a trust fund and LAlumina.

A man is wanted following an investigation into copper wire thefts in Ascension Parish. Law enforcement is seeking the individual in connection with the thefts.

Ascension Parish's housing market saw increased activity in June 2026, with 160 closed home sales and 205 new listings, both rising over 15% year-over-year. The median sales price climbed 3.1% to $334,939, and pending sales rose 5% to 147, extending the market's momentum through the first half of 2026 with 743 total home sales.

United Community Bank (UCB) has opened a new branch in Heritage Crossing, Ascension Parish, maintaining its focus on relationship-based banking while offering a modern, accessible facility with enhanced features. The branch, operational for 17 years, continues to provide personalized service with the same local team.

Ascension Parish reports new construction permits for two buildings, property acquisitions by Level Homes and Eica Holdings, and upcoming business events including a carbon capture informational session and an annual Business Expo. Key transactions include Level Homes acquiring 15 lots and Eica Holdings purchasing an industrial property near I-10.

Currency Bank has opened its first physical location in Ascension Parish, a Gonzales loan-production office focused on serving local businesses. Lindsey Duplessis, a lifelong Ascension resident, was named the bank’s Ascension market president to lead the expansion, emphasizing relationship banking and community economic growth.

The closure of the former LAlumina site in Ascension Parish moves closer as local and state officials have sought a permanent solution to the red dust that has concerned residents.

Two men are wanted for stealing $7,200 worth of cigarettes from a Circle K gas station in Ascension Parish on July 16. The theft occurred at a specific location in the parish.

The article discusses recent property transactions and issued permits in East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes. Specifically, the Town of Livingston entity 8 Point Investments purchased a property.

An Ascension Parish man was found guilty of 14 counts of child rape. The jury's verdict confirms the criminal charges against him.

Precision Fab is expanding its operations in Ascension Parish with a $2.5 million to $2.7 million investment in a new 12,500-square-foot facility on La. 30. The expansion aims to support larger industrial projects, create jobs, and meet growing demand driven by increased industrial investment in the area.

An Ascension Parish man was sentenced to 40 years in a possession of child pornography case. The sentence was handed down following charges related to the possession of child pornography.

An Ascension Parish man was found guilty of charges related to a 2023 shooting in Geismar. The case involves a shooting that occurred in 2023.

A Donaldsonville man is accused of threatening to kill someone, kicking a dog, and firing a gun during an argument at a Baton Rouge residence. The incident is reported to have occurred at a residence in Baton Rouge.

Ascension Parish's population has grown by over 8,600 residents since 2020, but employers report ongoing difficulties in recruiting qualified workers, particularly in industrial and security sectors. Challenges include candidates failing drug tests, background checks, and failing to meet hiring standards, despite strong job demand and population increases.

Precision Fab is expanding its operations in Ascension Parish with a $2.5–$2.7 million investment in a new 12,500-square-foot facility, doubling its current size to handle larger industrial projects and create jobs. The company, specializing in structural steel fabrication and precision machining, plans to deepen capabilities through advanced manufacturing technology while working with contractors like Cajun and manufacturers such as Shintech and Marathon.

A man from Prairieville has been arrested in connection with an investigation involving child sexual abuse materials. The case is related to Ascension Parish.

A man from Darrow was arrested for stealing a utility trailer and lawn mower. Deputies apprehended the Ascension Parish man accused of the theft.

The article highlights recent property transactions in East Baton Rouge and Ascension parishes, noting that Austin-based multifamily developer LV Collective purchased seven parcels in East Baton Rouge.

A Prairieville man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for vehicular homicide following a 2024 crash that resulted in the death of a 38-year-old individual. The incident occurred in Ascension Parish, Louisiana.

Two men from Baton Rouge and Ascension Parish were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. They were found guilty of scheming to defraud insurance companies.

A 44-year-old Gonzales man died in a single-vehicle crash in Ascension Parish on Friday night. The incident occurred in a rural area of the parish.

Ascension Parish nonprofit Rescue Alliance must raise $7,000 by the end of July to cover overdue expenses and prevent closure of its Cat Rescue Center.

Trash Rangers, founded in 2018 by Jake Poche and co-owners Jimmy and James Boyce, has expanded from a residential waste service in Ascension Parish to a regional provider serving 27,000 residential customers weekly and 1,600 commercial accounts. The company launched commercial services in 2023 and now offers portable sanitation solutions, leveraging local presence and reliability as key competitive advantages.

Ascension Public Schools is implementing upgrades for the 2026-2027 school year, including enhanced security measures, campus construction projects, and district-wide improvements. These changes will affect students, parents, and teachers in Ascension Parish.

Marcus & Millichap sold the Commerce Centre retail property in Ascension Parish to an East Coast investor. Microsoft is emphasizing in-house AI models to compete with Anthropic and OpenAI. U.S. warehouse construction is rising due to renewed demand from logistics firms, retailers, and manufacturers.

Ascension Parish schools have approved one-time stipends for eligible certificated employees and support employees. The stipends are part of a decision by Ascension Public Schools to provide financial incentives to these staff members.

National Water Infrastructure will break ground in September 2023 on a $185 million wastewater treatment plant in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, aiming to replace 72 smaller plants and improve water quality by discharging treated wastewater into the Mississippi River. The project, expected to take two years, is privately funded and projected to save the parish $4 million annually.

Trash Rangers, founded in 2018 by Jake Poche and co-owners Jimmy and James Boyce, expanded from a residential garbage service in Ascension Parish to a regional waste provider serving 27,000 residential customers weekly and 1,600 commercial accounts. The company grew into commercial services in 2023 and launched a portable sanitation division in August 2023, driven by demand in Ascension Parish and surrounding areas.

Industrial investment in Ascension Parish is driving commercial real estate activity, with new projects like CF Industries and Hyundai creating demand for housing, retail, and services. Retail growth is concentrated in Gonzales and Prairieville, though residential expansion outpaces retail development in Prairieville. National retailers remain cautious, waiting for population growth from industrial projects to solidify.

Construction on the $4 million Prairieville Council on Aging facility is set to begin this summer after resolving contract issues. The facility will expand senior and wellness services in Ascension Parish, replacing an asphalt parking lot with cement to comply with local restrictions and save costs. The new 14,000-square-foot center aims to alleviate overcrowding at the existing Gonzales senior center.

The RiverPlex MegaPark in Ascension Parish is poised to become a major Gulf Coast industrial hub with $10 billion in announced investments, including projects by Hyundai-POSCO Louisiana Steel, CF Industries, and Linde. Ascension Economic Development Corporation aims to expand infrastructure and attract complementary sectors like advanced manufacturing and clean energy, with plans to operationalize key projects within five years.

Parents in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, are relieved after Air Products and Chemicals canceled plans to build the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, a carbon sequestration project that would have included a CO2 pipeline near Sorrento Primary School. The company cited reasons unrelated to local opposition, while residents had raised health concerns about potential pipeline leaks.