Louisiana Grain Elevator Project Stopped Due to Impact on Black Historic Sites

In a significant turn of events, Greenfield LLC has announced the cessation of its plans for a $400 million grain export facility in Wallace, Louisiana, following a three-year campaign led by local residents. The proposed development faced fierce opposition from the Black community, who argued that it would disrupt rural neighborhoods, historic plantation sites, and culturally significant areas. Joy Banner, a co-founder of the Descendants Project, hailed the decision as an "unbelievable victory" for community activism. The project, which was intended to be one of the largest grain facilities in the U.S., came under scrutiny after a ProPublica investigation revealed that a whistleblower had raised concerns about the project's impact. The investigation highlighted issues with the consulting firm involved, which allegedly altered reports after client reviews, raising questions about the integrity of the permitting process. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers later deemed the archaeological report insufficient, acknowledging that the facility would likely harm historic sites, including the Whitney Plantation, a memorial to enslaved individuals. In May 2023, the National Trust for Historic Preservation designated the area around Wallace as one of the nation’s most endangered historic places, underscoring the community's concerns. The proposed facility would have been built adjacent to residential areas, prompting fears of environmental and cultural degradation. Local attorney Pam Spees emphasized the community's long-standing fight against corporate encroachment, highlighting the importance of preserving their cultural heritage.