The next big industrial project for the Baton Rouge region officially kicked off, Monday, with the groundbreaking of a $400 million facility in Iberville Parish by French-based polymer maker SNF.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal keynotes the SNF groundbreaking ceremony held at the Plaquemine location for the company′s new $400 million facility slated to employ more than 500 people and have an economic impact of more than $3.7 billion.

The indoor ceremony, held in an air conditioned tent, was attended by a who's who of local politicians, including Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former governor Mike Foster.

Jindal told the nearly 300 people in attendance that the 800-acre site off of La. Hwy. 405, just south of Plaquemine, will employ 500 workers at an average salary of $57,000. Jindal, also, touted an LSU study that estimated the plant would create an additional 900 indirect jobs, making the project one of the state's 150 top economic drivers producing $3.7 billion in new state economic output between 2010 and 2025.

Additionally, the chemical plant will provide work for 250 construction workers, Jindal further said.

The company's main product is a water-soluable polymer named polyacrylamide. Polyacrylamide is used in various applications, including improving oil recovery in existing oilfields. The product is an alternative to using carbon dioxide to accomplish the same goal.

The company's literature said that many oil fields don't have access to carbon dioxide pipelines.

SNF President Peter Nichols said that the company desired to come here because the location was "close to supplies and raw materials."

Additional reasons were given for SNF locating here include Iberville's proximity to Interstates 10 and 12, and the availability of access from either the Mississippi River or rail, Nichols said.

Foster noted that he supports the facility and hopes more industry will consider the parishes that line the Mississippi River as a viable location for their firms. Jindal thanked neighboring Shintech for providing the right of way for a crucial rail spur, without which the project wouldn't have been possible. He also thanked members of the local legislative delegation for supporting his administration's recent bid to increase the size of the megafund it tapped to lure economic development opportunities.

SNF operates six plants in the United States.