Camp Minden Joins the Business World

Camp Minden is starting to make themselves a name in the business world. The latest venture is acting as a storage site for a new 172-mile interstate natural gas pipeline project. "We are dependent on foreign energy, we need to change that and building our infrastructure is critical, and building the infrastructure means we have to have a place to store and move the pipeline," explained Louisiana Senator Robert Adley, District 36. Fifty-five acres will store 42-inch diameter pipes in addition to a 77,000 square foot warehouse. Centerpoint Energy Gas Transmission Company admits the railroad access and land were major selling points. "Having security, which we`ve got here which you don`t find on most sites where you are doing storage, so you have a lot of protection against vandalism," added Byron Kelley, President, Centerpoint Pipeline Operations. Sixteen jobs will be created and hopefully put Northern Louisiana on the map as a business mover and shaker. "Their pipes to move all the way from Carthage, Texas all the way to Delhi, this gas is going to end up all over the world and the United States," said Louisiana State Representative Billy Montgomery, District 9. Camp Minden`s Post Commander hopes the trend of attracting businesses will continue. "We`ve been promoting economic development in addition to the military training we do here. The word has gone out with the word of mouth so far," said Colonel Ron Stuckey, Camp Mindens Post Commander.