Supreme Rice outlines expansion and job growth as board approves industrial tax exemptions

The Acadia Parish Police Jury approved industrial tax exemptions for two Supreme Rice facilities after a company representative described recent investments and hiring during the Oct. 1 meeting.

Committee recommendations for industrial tax exemptions were presented for a Supreme Rice parboiled mill in Mermentau and a related facility in Crowley. The committee referenced ITE number 20210465 and an ITE amount of $2,021,004.65 for the Mermentau facility during the recommendation; motions to forward the exemptions to the full board were made and the board approved both by voice vote.

Danny, identified on the record as representing Supreme Rice, said the company is parboiling and milling rice and has rehired and expanded staff to meet demand. "We've hired a lot more people than we thought we were going to," Danny said, noting the company was employing roughly 350 workers across two facilities and additional staff in Arkansas. He described plans to rebuild an older section of the mill with new concrete walls and equipment and said the rebuild is scheduled to be complete before the 2026 crop season.

Company representatives also described operational changes: parboiling and initial packaging will be done in Mermentau while milling activity will continue in Crowley as equipment and facilities are upgraded. Board members asked operational questions about packaging and construction timelines during the presentation.

The board's approvals on the ITEs followed committee recommendation and a voice vote on the full board.