LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — Construction has started on a $3 billion chemical manufacturing project in Lake Charles.

Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says LACC LLC, a joint venture of Lotte Chemical and Axiall Corp., will build a $1.9 billion ethane cracker complex near Axiall's existing manufacturing plants in Calcasieu Parish. Using a portion of ethylene produced by that plant, Lotte Chemical will produce monoethylene glycol at a $1.1 billion plant constructed beside the ethane cracker.

Pierson said in a news release the projects will create 215 new jobs.