Louisiana Community Stops Grain Facility Project
- Residents of a historic Black community in Louisiana successfully stop the construction of a grain export facility.
- The facility was planned to be built on the grounds where their enslaved ancestors once lived.
- After years of fighting against the project, the community has finally achieved their goal.
WALLACE, La. – In a significant turn of events, Greenfield Louisiana LLC announced during a public hearing on Tuesday that it will cease all plans to construct a grain export facility in Wallace, St. John the Baptist Parish. This decision has been met with joy and disbelief by local residents, particularly Joy Banner, a prominent opponent of the project. “I’m ecstatic and all praise to the ancestors,” she expressed, highlighting the community's collective effort against the facility in an area known for its environmental challenges. The cancellation marks a rare victory for the residents of Wallace, located approximately 50 miles west of New Orleans, in a region often referred to as “Cancer Alley” due to its high pollution levels. Banner emphasized the power of community activism, stating, “We are recognizing that we do have power – that power comes from the love we have for our community.” Earlier this year, the Banner sisters’ nonprofit acquired a plantation linked to a significant historical slave rebellion, further underscoring their commitment to local heritage. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had been reviewing Greenfield’s application, noting potential adverse impacts on cultural heritage sites. An agency representative confirmed they were not informed of the company’s decision prior to the public announcement. Meanwhile, some residents, like Nicole Dumas, expressed disappointment over the lost economic opportunities the facility could have brought, while others, including cancer survivor Mitchell, celebrated the news as a long-awaited answer to their prayers.