(Nolan McKendry, The Center Square) A New Orleans engineering firm that has contributed $115,000 to a political action committee closely aligned with Gov. Jeff Landry has been selected by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for work related to SpaceX’s planned project in Vermilion Parish.
Royal Engineers & Consultants has contributed to Cajun PAC II six times since 2019, including $50,000 in June 2024, $25,000 in May 2025 and another $25,000 in March 2026, according to campaign finance records reviewed by The Center Square.
Cajun PAC II is formally affiliated with Gov. Jeff Landry, who served as its chairman.
The firm has also contributed directly to Landry’s political campaigns, including $12,000 in September 2025. In all, the firm has contributed at least $27,000 to Landry’s campaigns since 2014, separate from its contributions to Cajun PAC II.
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Royal declined to comment.
The Department of Transportation and Development told The Center Square Royal’s Louisiana-based resources are “strategically located near the SpaceX site and allow for rapid mobilization, timely field response and direct coordination with DOTD, Space X, local stakeholders and other project partners.”
The department did not answer whether the contract was bid out.
It is unclear how much the SpaceX-related contract is worth, what services Royal Engineers will provide or how the firm was selected. The contract is active until 2031.
The contract comes as Louisiana prepares for SpaceX’s proposed spaceport, a major economic development project backed by Landry’s administration that is expected to require substantial transportation and infrastructure improvements.
Louisiana Economic Development says DOTD is working with SpaceX to evaluate transportation routes, road and bridge conditions, and traffic impacts associated with construction and operations.
The agency is also evaluating potential improvements to Louisiana Highway 82, although the state has not determined how those costs will be divided between taxpayers and SpaceX.
Royal Engineers has a lengthy history of contributing to Louisiana politicians and political organizations, dating back at least two decades.
Campaign finance records show contributions to Attorney General Liz Murrill, state lawmakers and political committees affiliated with both major parties. Recipients have included the Republican Party of Louisiana, former Gov. John Bel Edwards, former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and U.S. Sen. John Kennedy.
Its previous work with DOTD includes construction engineering and inspection services for highway and bridge projects across Louisiana.
Louisiana has offered SpaceX a package of state incentives tied to the company’s promised investment and job creation. The state also plans to fund additional contract positions at several agencies, including DOTD, to help manage the project’s demands.
State officials have not publicly established how much of the transportation infrastructure work associated with SpaceX will ultimately be funded by taxpayers.
The firm does a great deal of business with the state. According to public records, Royal has over $44 million worth of active contracts with the state.
There is evidence supporting Royal’s qualifications. In a May 2025 proposal submitted to DOTD, Royal reported providing construction engineering and inspection services on roadway and infrastructure programs totaling more than $2 billion across southern Louisiana. The company said it had been working on projects since 2005.
In another DOTD submission, Royal reported completing more than 100 comparable Louisiana roadway projects.
