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Parish to fast‑track resolution backing request for industrial tax‑exemption reinstatement amid possible layoffs
Summary
Parish officials agreed to expedite a resolution expressing the parish’s support for a chemical manufacturer’s request to be reinstated in the state industrial tax‑exemption program; presenters warned the company could close if it does not secure incentives, citing 20 committed jobs, a $7.5 million investment and up to 540 employees at risk in earlier staffing counts.
Parish economic‑development representatives asked the Public Works Committee on Sept. 16 to adopt a resolution stating the parish would consider and support reinstating an industrial tax exemption (ITEP) application so a chemical manufacturer can proceed to a state review.
Presenter context: The company was recruited previously and committed under older rules to a $7.5 million investment and 20 jobs. Presenters said the project lost its incentive application by missing a deadline; the state Board of Commerce and Industry must consider reinstatement and the Louisiana Economic Development secretary would make a final decision after the board’s review. A board hearing is scheduled Oct. 22.
Workforce risk: Presenters warned that, without reinstatement, the company faces closure risks. One speaker said the company had issued earlier WARN‑type notices affecting roughly 540 employees and currently retained about 191 employees; another official said the company was ‘‘a week away from firing this thing’’ when filings were late. Presenters requested a parish resolution — described as a letter of recommendation or expression of support rather than a final parish approval of incentives — to accompany similar action by the parish school board.
Council response and next steps: Council members agreed to expedite the resolution and place it on the next meeting agenda. Staff said a draft resolution had been prepared and that the school board had agreed to present a parallel resolution. Presenters also outlined local workforce support: a job fair for displaced employees was scheduled and parish workforce partners were coordinating placements.
What the resolution would do: The requested resolution would state the parish’s willingness to support reconsideration of the company’s ITEP application and provide supplementary information to the state board; it would not itself grant a tax exemption and parish officials emphasized the state board and LED retain final authority.
No formal vote on the resolution was recorded in the provided excerpt; committee members instructed staff to include the item on the next meeting agenda.
