Residents of the West Bank of Ascension Parish learned on Monday that an announcement is expected this week regarding an agreement between Hyundai and Louisiana State University (LSU). Though details have not yet been made public, the agreement is expected to focus on workforce development and deepen LSU’s relationship with the corporation that has a history of questionable labor practices, including alleged use of prison and child labor. The corporation is already under fire for its planned steel facility in Modeste, Louisiana, a massive steel facility that would radically industrialize the historic Black community.

In advance of the expected announcement, two local advocates, Ashley Gaignard and Anne Rolfes, released statements.

The following statement should be attributed to Ashley Gaignard, founder and director of Donaldsonville-based Rural Roots Louisiana:

“As Hyundai expands its presence in Louisiana through partnerships with LSU and support from state leadership, many residents in historically Black and rural communities are asking difficult questions about who truly benefits from this development. Too often, elected officials appear for photo opportunities with our children and families, while behind closed doors supporting industrial projects that threaten the health, land, culture, and future of the very communities they claim to serve.

“This is not economic growth. It’s destruction. What concerns us most is a system where public resources, institutional partnerships, and political influence are strategically directed in ways that make community advocacy seem anti-progress. Residents who raise legitimate concerns about pollution, environmental health, property rights, and quality of life are often portrayed as obstacles rather than stakeholders.

“True progress is achieved when development respects people, protects the environment, and includes those most affected in the decision-making process.”

Anne Rolfes, Director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, issued the following statement:

“LSU failed to do its homework on Hyundai. The university is planning to announce a workforce development program with a corporation that has a track record of abusing its workforce. If LSU officials had done a simple Google search, they would have learned what we have known: Hyundai has been sued for using forced labor, including prisoners and children. This partnership between LSU and Hyundai is shameful.

LSU students should take note of this as a cautionary tale on how not to do business.The state of Louisiana is giving Hyundai $191 million dollars for land and infrastructure, with over a billion dollars more in financial support and tax relief. Now, Hyundai gets to paste its name all over LSU. Louisiana gets bought off so cheap.

The company’s steel facility will wipe the historic Black community of Modeste off the map and the emissions will massively pollute our home. LSU should cancel this partnership with this retrograde corporation, and the State of Louisiana should stop selling out to people who are not from here and will never care about us.

It’s time for LSU to catch the innovation wave and invest in locally owned businesses and communities. That kind of local investment is what can power Louisiana’s economy. It’s better for communities and for our state.