Board approves two industrial tax-exemption requests; members seek internship commitments

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board approved two industrial tax-exemption applications: one from International Mezzo Technologies (a $216,368 investment in North Baton Rouge) and another from W.R. Grace (roughly $31.2 million in planned investment). Both applications were approved following board discussion and public comment.

For International Mezzo, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber estimated the project would add roughly $28,000 in net revenue to parish taxing bodies over the 20-year life of the abatement; the application listed a one-job net increase and an estimated $216,368 in qualifying machinery and equipment. Board members asked the company representative to return with commitments for student internships; staff noted statutory timelines limit postponement of board action.

W.R. Grace's project is larger: the applicant estimated $3.1 million in returns to local taxing bodies over 20 years (including roughly $635,000 in construction-period sales taxes) and listed roughly 144 existing and new jobs at the site. Company representatives said the expansion provides infrastructure to support future operator and support positions and that they already hire interns and participate in local workforce events. A company product manager said, "we had three interns this summer," and the W.R. Grace team invited board members to talk with district staff about internship and career partnerships.

Motions: the International Mezzo application was moved by Mr. Martin and seconded by Ms. Soule and approved; the W.R. Grace application was moved by Mr. Russ and seconded by Ms. Soule and approved. The chair announced both motions carried after electronic vote confirmation. Several board members stressed that the district would seek internship and training commitments from companies as part of ongoing economic-development partnerships.