[00:00:04]
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU. HAPPY BELATED EASTER.
[1. Call to Order – Jerald Jones, Chairman]
BUT WELCOME TO THE APRIL 23, 2025 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.MS. SIMMONS, WOULD YOU CALL ROLL TO ENSURE WE HAVE A QUORUM?
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. STEWART MOSS.
>> SCOTT NEHEMIAH. REPRESENTATIVE DARRYL [INAUDIBLE].
>> REPRESENTATIVE JULIE EMERSON.
ANNE VILLA FOR SECRETARY BOURGEOIS.
>> RYAN ROBERTS FOR KYLE RICKERT.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. I BELIEVE ALL OF YOU HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW
[3. Approval of Minutes from February 26, 2024 meeting]
THE MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 26, 2024 MEETING.I PRESUME THAT MEANS 2025 ON THE AGENDA.
WE HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. MILLER TO APPROVE THOSE MINUTES, A SECOND FROM MR. MOSS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
THERE BEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSED? THERE BEING NONE THAT MOTION CARRIES.
GOOD MORNING, MS. [INAUDIBLE], HOW ARE YOU?
>> GOOD MORNING. WELL, AND YOURSELF?
>> DOING WELL. THANK YOU. PLEASE LEAD US THROUGH THE QUALITY JOBS PROGRAM.
[4. Quality Jobs Program – Michaela Adegbe]
>> I HAVE ONE APPLICATION REQUESTING DEFERRAL, 2022-0538 AQUASPERSIONS, NORTH AMERICA, LTD.
>> WOULD RECOMMEND A MOTION FOR DEFERRAL OF THE AQUASPERSIONS, NORTH AMERICA.
MOTION FROM SENATOR MIZELL, SECOND FROM MR. NASSER.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD.
HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE.
THE MOTION CARRIES. THAT MATTER IS DEFERRED TO THE NEXT MEETING.
>> THERE ARE FOUR NEW APPLICATIONS, 2022-0424 DELTA TREATMENT SYSTEMS, LLC, LIVINGSTON PARISH, 2024-0153, HOOD INDUSTRIES INC, WASHINGTON PARISH, 2022-0541, PELICAN ENERGY CONSULTANTS, ST. TAMMANY PARISH, 2022-0484 PERLEGE GE USA CADDO PARISH.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE FROM MR. MOSS, SECOND FROM SENATOR MIZELL.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? I'M SORRY, SENATOR MIZELL.
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO SAY AS I REPRESENT WASHINGTON PARISH, HOOD INDUSTRIES REPRESENTS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED COMING TO RURAL LOUISIANA.
THEY ENOUGH IN FAVOR OF THEIR REQUESTS. THANK YOU.
>> EXCELLENT. THANK YOU, SENATOR.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
THERE BEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR. SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE. THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> THERE IS ONE RENEWAL APPLICATION, 2019-0517 PROKEEP INC, ORLEANS PARISH.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ONE RENEWAL FROM MAYOR TUBBS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THERE ARE BEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE. THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> THIS CONCLUDES QUALITY JOBS. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. ROSENBERG. HOW ARE YOU?
>> GOOD. THANK YOU. PLEASE WALK US THROUGH THE RESTORATION TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM, PLEASE.
[5. Restoration Tax Abatement Program – Travis Rosenberg]
>> THERE ARE TWO NEW APPLICATIONS, 2023-0405 FOR JAMES ROLPH IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND 2024-0043 FOR VRE 3535 MAGAZINE, LLC, IN ORLEANS PARISH.
>> AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE LOCALS HAVE ALREADY SIGNED OFF ON THESE BY NATURE OF THE PROGRAM.
[00:05:08]
WE WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE.>> WE HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. NASSER.
I HAVE A SECOND FROM MR. MEALY.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE. THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> THERE IS ONE RENEWAL APPLICATION.
2018-0063 FOR CANE RIVER PECAN PROPERTIES, LLC, AND IBERIA PARISH.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS RENEWAL? MOTION FROM MAYOR TUBBS, HAVE A SECOND FROM MR. MIGUEZ.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THERE IS NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE. THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> THIS CONCLUDES THE RTA AGENDA.
THANK YOU, MR. ROSENBERG. YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY.
>> GOOD MORNING, MS. MATOIA. HOW ARE YOU?
[6. Enterprise Zone Program – Joyce Metoyer]
>> WE HAVE FIVE NEW APPLICATIONS FOR EZ 2016-0852, HALIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INCORPORATED, LAFAYETTE PARISH, 2020-0354 OXFORD CLINIC, LAFAYETTE, 2022-0515 PERFORMANCE CONTRACTORS INCORPORATED EAST BATON ROUGE, 2017-0251 UNION TANK CAR COMPANY, EVANGELINE AND 2020-0197 WOMEN'S HOSPITAL, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE ENTERPRISE ZONE APPLICATIONS.
MOTION FROM MR. NASSER SECOND FROM [OVERLAPPING]
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM UNION TANK AND PERFORMANCE.
>> UNION TANK AND PERFORMANCE CONTRACTORS.
WE'LL NOTE MR. MIGUEZ'S RECUSAL, WHICH MEANS HE WILL NEITHER COMMENT ON OR VOTE ON THAT MATTER, BUT HE CAN VOTE ON ALL OTHER MATTERS.
DO HAVE A SECOND? I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM MR. MOSS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> THERE ARE SIX CONTRACT TERMINATIONS.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 717D OF THE ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM RULES, A BUSINESS MAY SUBMIT A REQUESTS TO TERMINATE THEIR ENTERPRISE ZONE CONTRACT.
IF ONE, THE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT FOR AT LEAST 30 MONTHS.
TWO, THE BUSINESS HAS MET ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES TIMELY FILING OF ALL PROGRAM FORMS, DOCUMENTS, AND APPROPRIATE FEES.
THE FOLLOWING CONTRACTS WERE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND THE CONTRACT HOLDERS LISTED BELOW HAVE SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO TERMINATE THEIR ENTERPRISE ZONE CONTRACT.
THE CONTRACTEE UNDERSTANDS BOARD DECISION IS FINAL AND CONTRACTS CANNOT BE REINSTATED OR REACTIVATED.
2019-0009, MCELROY METAL MILL, INCORPORATED BOGER PARISH.
THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 11-13-20TO 11-12-2025.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 11-13-2023.
2020-0085 OXFORD CLINIC FOUNDATION JEFFERSON PARISH.
THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 3-2-2020 TO 3-1-2025.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 3-1-2023, 2018-0138 QSL MANAGEMENT, LLC, JEFFERSON PARISH, EXISTING CONTRACT IS 7-13-20 TO 7-12-2025.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 7-12-2023.
I'M SORRY, 2021-0074, SEGAN RETAIL, LLC, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 2-13-21 TO 2-12-2026.
THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 12-31-2023, 2016-0995, SUMA LODGING, LLC, EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH.
THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 1-1-21 TO 12-31-2025, THE REQUESTED TERM DATE 12-31-2023.
AND 2021-0398 RAIL LOGICS RAIL PORT, LLC, IBERVILLE PARISH.
THE EXISTING CONTRACT IS 10-1-21 TO 9-30-2026, AND THE REQUESTED TERM DATE IS 6-30-2024.
>> [NOISE] DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE CONTRACT TERMINATION REQUESTS?
[00:10:03]
MOTION FROM MR. MEALY.DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE BEING NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> GOOD MORNING. HOW ARE Y'ALL?
>> GREAT. WHO'S GOING TO BEGIN WITH POST EO 2018 RULES?
[7. Industrial Tax Exemption – Kristin Johnson/Hud Usie]
>> WE HAVE SEVEN POST EO 2018 RULES, ITEP APPLICATIONS.
2022-0056-B, ASH INDUSTRIES INC, LAFAYETTE PARISH, 2023-0224-A, COKE METHANOL, ST. JAMES, LLC AND ST. JAMES PARISH, 2022-0235-B, LACC LLC, US CALCASIEU PARISH, 2022-0453-B, LOT CHEMICAL, LOUISIANA, LLC, CALCASIEU PARISH, 2022-0117-B, LOUISIANA SUGARCANE COOPERATIVE, INC, ST. MARTIN PARISH, 2020-0490, PROCESSORS, LLC, ST. MARTIN PARISH, AND 2023-0484, SHINTECH LOUISIANA, AND IBERVILLE PARISH.
I'LL BE RECUSING MYSELF FROM 2023-0224-A, COKE METHANOL, ST. JAMES, LLC.
OTHERWISE, I WILL STILL CONTINUE TO FACILITATE THE MEETING.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE A MOTION FROM MAYOR TUBBS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD?
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM LOUISIANA SUGARCANE.
>> MR. MIGUEZ FROM LOUISIANA SUGARCANE COOPERATIVE MATTER.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD, MR. NASSER?
>> YES. CHAIRMAN JONES, I'D LIKE TO [OVERLAPPING]
>> PUT YOUR MICE DOWN, PLEASE, SIR.
>> I'D LIKE TO THANK COKE METHANOL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE IN ST. JAMES PARISH, NOT ONLY WITH THE SCHOOLS, BUT WITH THE COMMUNITY, AND Y'ALL HAVE BEEN AN EXCELLENT COMMUNITY PARTNER AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THAT.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? QUESTIONS? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE. THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE 6-2024 EMERGENCY RULES APPLICATIONS.
WE DO HAVE ONE REQUEST FOR DEFERRAL FROM THE COMPANY FOR 2024-0345 HRM CONCRETE, LLC IN EAST BOUND RIDGE PARISH.
>> DO WE HAVE MOTION FROM MR. MILLER? WE HAVE A SECOND. ARE WE DEFERRING? IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID?
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER HRM CONCRETE.
MOTION FROM MR. MILLER, SECOND FROM MAYOR TUBBS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE.
THE MOTION CARRIES THAT MATTER IS DEFERRED TO THE NEXT MEETING.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE 2024-0181 ADVANCED CENTER MEDAL TECHNOLOGIES INC IN ST. TAMMANY PARISH, 2024-0096 CARPENTER AND PATTERSON INC IN JEFFERSON PARISH, 2024-0038 LINDY INC ASCENSION PARISH, 2025-0099 PALA INTERSTATE LLC, LIVINGSTON PARISH, AND 2024-0260 SHINTECH, LOUISIANA, LLC IBERVILLE PARISH.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. MILLER TO APPROVE.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? A SECOND FOR MR. NASSER TO APPROVE THESE APPLICATIONS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THERE BEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE A LATE RENEWAL UNDER THE 2017 RULES.
IT'S 2016-1675 GWEN MACHINE INC IN BIENVILLE PARISH.
THEIR INITIAL CONTRACT EXPIRED 12 THY 2022, AND THEIR LATE RENEWAL REQUEST DATE WAS 2-6-2023.
UNDER THE 2017 RULES, THERE IS A MANDATORY PENALTY FOR LATE RENEWAL OF ONE YEAR UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.
[00:15:09]
I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION.WE HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. NASSER TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL, BUT WITH THE ONE YEAR PENALTY.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THERE BEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE. MOTION CARRIES.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE TIMELY RENEWALS UNDER THE 2018 RULES.
2017 0492-A LOUISIANA SUGARCANE COOPERATIVE INC, ST. MARTIN PARISH, 2017 077 PALA INTERSTATE LLC, LIVINGSTON PARISH, AND 2018 0470 STELLAR INC LAFAYETTE PARISH.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE RENEWALS? A MOTION FROM SENATOR MAZEL.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD?
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM LOUISIANA SUGARCANE.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THERE BEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE A LATE RENEWAL UNDER THE 2018 RULES, BUT THE COMPANY IS REQUESTING DEFERRAL, AND THAT'S 2018 0498K AND B MACHINE WORKS, LLC, AND TERRA BAN PARISH.
>> ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION TO DEFER THIS MATTER.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? HEARING NONE.
ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
THIS MATTER WILL BE DEFERRED TO THE NEXT MEETING.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE 11 CANCELLATION OF CONTRACT REQUESTS.
DR. REDDY'S LABORATORIES, LOUISIANA, LLC, CONTRACTS 2015 0934 2015 0934-A, 2015 0934-B 2015 0934-C, 2016 0815 2016 0816 AND 2016 0817 IN CATO PARISH, THE COMPANY REQUESTS CANCELLATION.
AND WE HAVE INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY 2016 0901, 2016 0903, 2016 0904 AND 2016 0905.
IN NAKEDI PARISH, LED REQUESTS CANCELLATION UPON NOTIFICATION OF THE FACILITY SHUTTING DOWN PERMANENTLY.
>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THESE CANCELLATIONS? MOTION FROM MR. MOSS.
I'M GOING TO MAKE A COMMENT JUST AS A REMINDER.
THE REASON LED MUST EXIST AND MUST THRIVE IS BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS.
DR. REDDY'S AND ITS PREDECESSOR COMPANIES HAS BEEN IN CATO PARISH FOR 30 YEARS, 40 YEARS, MAYBE.
INTERNATIONAL PAPERS BEEN IN NAKEDI FOR SIMILAR PERIOD OF TIME.
THESE COMPANIES, THEY COME AND THEY BUILD AS PART OF OUR ECONOMIES AND PART OF OUR CULTURE, BUT CORPORATE DECISIONS GET MADE AND THE REASON LED MUST DO ITS WORK EVERY DAY IS BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO KEEP THE BACKFILL.
ANYTIME SOMEBODY SHUTS DOWN ON THE FRONT END, WE GOT SOMEBODY COMING IN FROM THE BACK.
SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT LED DOES, BUT THIS IS A GOOD REMINDER THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN.
WE ALREADY GOT THE MOTION SECOND TO APPROVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? BEING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR OF CANCELING THESE CONTRACTS, SAY AYE?
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> OKAY. SO NEXT UNDER THE NEW 2025 RULES.
>> LET ME STEP IN HERE, MISS JOHNSON.
FOR THE BOARD AND FOR THE PUBLIC, THIS IS A BRAND NEW MATTER ON THE AGENDA.
THIS IS A SPIN OFF OF THE NEW RULES THAT WENT INTO THE NEW ITEP RULES THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON MARCH THE 20TH OF THIS YEAR.
AND JUST AS A REMINDER, THOSE COMPANIES WHO HAD CONTRACTS APPROVED UNDER THE 2017 AND 2018 RULES HAD JOBS AND PAY ROLL COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.
UNDER THE RULES THAT WE PASSED PURSUANT TO GOVERNOR LANDRY'S EXECUTIVE ORDER, WE HAVE GIVEN THOSE COMPANIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPT
[00:20:02]
OUT OF THAT THOSE JOBS AND PAY ROLL COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS.WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ON YOUR AGENDA NOW IS THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA ARE THE FIRST COMPANIES WHO ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY.
AS A LEVEL SET FOR PEOPLE ARE GOING, WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT? WHAT THIS DOES IS THERE WAS A STRONG FEELING BY THE GOVERNOR AS COMMUNICATED THROUGH HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER, AS WELL AS THE MEMBERS OF THE RULES COMMITTEE THAT THE JOBS AND PAYROLL COMPLIANCE WERE PARTICULARLY ONEROUS AND THAT'S ONE REASON THAT GOVERNOR EDWARDS DID NOT WANT THAT PART OF THE ITEP PROGRAM GOING FORWARD.
EXCUSE ME, GOVERNOR, FORGIVE ME. THANK YOU.
[LAUGHTER] PLEASE DON'T TELL HIM I DID THAT.
[LAUGHTER] BUT ANYWAY, SO WE GOT RID OF THE JOBS AND PAYROLL, BUT WE WANTED TO PUT COMPANIES THAT HAD ENTERED INTO THE ITEP PROGRAM UNDER THE PREVIOUS RULES ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE THOSE KIND OF REQUIREMENTS.
SO WHAT WE'RE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY NOW IS TO VOTE ON THE EXERCISE OF THOSE OPT OUT OPPORTUNITY.
AND INSTEAD OF READING ALL OF THESE THROUGH, MISS JOHNSON, I'M GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC HAS THEM ON THEIR AGENDA.
I'M GOING TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THEM IN GLOBAL BEFORE WE GO FORWARD, IF ANYBODY WANTS TO DEAL WITH ANY PARTICULAR ONE OF THESE, LET ME KNOW NOW AND WE CAN PULL IT OUT AND DEAL WITH IT INDIVIDUALLY.
BUT OTHERWISE, WE WILL VOTE ON THESE IN GLOBAL.
I HAVE A MOTION NOW FROM MR. MILLER TO APPROVE IN GLOBAL.
I HAVE A SECOND FROM MR. MOSS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? YES, MR DANGER.
>> IT SEEMED LIKE YOU WERE IMPLYING THAT THIS IS A CONTINUING PROCESS, SO OTHER COMPANIES CAN REQUEST.
>> NO. THERE IS NOT. OBVIOUSLY, AND THIS IS MORE FOR THE PUBLIC.
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COMPANIES IN THEIR AREA THAT ARE UNDER THE 2017, 2018 RULES, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SOONER IS BETTER THAN LATER.
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T OPT OUT, THEN THERE WILL STILL BE COMPLIANCE.
>> IT'S PROSPECTIVE FROM THE APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST.
THERE'S NO DEADLINE, BUT THEY WOULD STILL BE OBLIGATED TO FILE THEIR JOBS AND PAYROLL COMPLIANCE FILINGS UNTIL THE YEAR IN WHICH THEY OPT OUT.
>> AND IF THEY FAIL TO MEET THEM, THEN THERE WILL BE COMPLIANCE EXPOSURE?
>> A VERY GOOD QUESTION. YES, SIR.
>> FOR ANYBODY WHO'S KEEPING TRACK, IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS GLOBAL APPROVAL, THERE'S ONE ON HERE THAT I WOULD RECUSE MYSELF FROM.
>> OKAY. WHICH ONE? MEALY PRINTING.
MR. MEALY IS RECUSING HIMSELF FROM THAT.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE ONE SPECIAL REQUEST FROM CABOT CORPORATION FOR THEIR 27 CABOT CORPORATION IS REQUESTING TO AMEND SECTION 4.02D AND SECTION 601B1 OF THEIR EXISTING EXHIBIT A AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACT 2020/027 BY AN ADDITIONAL YEAR IN ORDER TO EXTEND THE GRACE PERIOD TO BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL.
>> IF WE HAVE ANYBODY HERE FROM CABOT CORPORATION, PLEASE COME.
>> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR POSITION WITH THE COMPANY, PLEASE.
I'M THE REGIONAL MANUFACTURING DIRECTOR FOR CABOT CORPORATION.
>> GREAT. TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> MR. CHAIR, WE ENTERED INTO THE CONTRACT FOR OUR ITE IN 2021.
SUBSEQUENT TO 2021, WE HAD TO DEAL WITH SOME HEADWINDS DURING COVID.
EVEN THOUGH WE STARTED THE PROJECT, AND EXECUTION WAS WELL UNDERWAY.
IT DID HOLD US BACK QUITE A BIT.
WE STRUGGLED TO STICK TO THE TIMELINE ON OUR PROJECT.
[00:25:05]
WE'RE ABSOLUTELY FULLY COMMITTED TO CONTINUING THIS INVESTMENT WITHIN THE EVANGELIN PARISH.WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.
CURRENTLY, AS WE SPEAK, WE HAVE AT LEAST 400 CONTRACTORS ON OUR SITE IN THE PROCESS OF EXECUTING THIS AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AND ENERGY CENTER PROJECT, WHICH IS GREAT FOR THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
IT'S GREAT FOR US AS A BUSINESS TO CONTINUE OPERATING AN EFFECTIVE OPERATION WHILE TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.
WHAT WE'RE REQUESTING IS JUST AN EXTENSION TO GET OURSELVES FULLY OPERATIONAL.
THE GRACE PERIOD ENDS, I BELIEVE AT THE END OF JUNE, AND WE NEED A LITTLE BIT OF ADDITIONAL TIME JUST TO COMPLETE THIS PROJECT AND GET IT FULLY OPERATIONAL.
ABOUT HOW MUCH LONGER DO YOU HAVE LEFT IN CONSTRUCTION, DO YOU THINK?
>> THE INTENTION IS TO HAVE IT COMPLETE BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR.
>> OKAY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A FEW MONTHS EXTENSION?
>> WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE STICK TO THE TIMELINE.
I KNOW THAT WE WILL NOT MAKE THE END OF JUNE DATE, AND THAT'S WE'RE JUST ASKING FOR THE ONE YEAR GRACE.
>> AND JUST AS SOURCE OF INFORMATION, THE LEVEL SET, EVERYONE, YOUR TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE?
>> IT'S IN EXCESS OF $100 MILLION.
>> WHEN YOU'RE FULLY OPERATIONAL, HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU THINK YOU'LL HAVE?
>> WE WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 15 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES.
>> GREAT. GOOD DEAL. ALL RIGHT.
VERY GOOD. DO WE HAVE A MOTION.
>> I'M SORRY. LET'S GET A MOTION.
THEN WE CAN ASK ALL OUR QUESTIONS.
MOTION FROM MR. NASSER TO APPROVE.
SECOND FOR MR. MOSS. NOW, MR. ME.
>> SO AS YOU'RE ASKING FOR A YEAR EXTENSION, IS A YEAR GOING TO BE ENOUGH AS YOU PUT ON A 12 HAVING TO SHUT DOWN SOMETHING LET'S A YEAR DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT YOU CAN GET WRAPPED UP WITHIN A YEAR.
>> YES, SIR I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION AND IT'S VERY VALID.
I THINK FOR US, THIS IS AN ADDITION TO OUR EXISTING OPERATION.
WE WILL HAVE A SHORT PERIOD OF OUTAGE TO CONNECT THE TWO, BUT ONE YEAR EXTENSION WOULD BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR US TO GET THIS COMPLETED.
I APPRECIATE THAT THOUGH. IT IS A VERY VALID COMMENT.
>> YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION? VERY GOOD. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> MR CHAIRMAN I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF.
>> MR. MEGUEZ IS RECUSING HIMSELF FROM THIS MATTER.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? HEARING NONE? ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? HEARING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE. THE MOTION CARRIES.
>> FINALLY, WE HAVE ONE CONTRACT THAT WAS NON COMPLIANT UNDER THE 2018 RULES.
THAT'S 2018/0370, VALERO REFINING NEW ORLEANS IN ST. CHARLES PARISH IS NON COMPLIANT FOR REPORTING PERIODS 2022 AND 2023.
THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO CREATE NINE NEW JOBS WITH $1.2 MILLION IN NEW PAYROLL.
THEIR ACTUAL NEW JOBS PAYROLL WERE BOTH ZERO IN 2022 AND 2023.
THE PARISH, THE SHERIFF AND THE SCHOOL BOARD, ALL REQUESTED THAT THE BOARD TAKE NO ACTION.
THE LETTER STATES WE STRONGLY URGE THE MEMBERS OF THE LOUISIANA BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY TO TAKE NO ACTION AND NOT PENALIZE THE COMPANY.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION? I HAVE A MOTION FROM MR. NASSER TO APPROVE WITHOUT PENALTY.
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM MAYOR TOPS.
ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I TELL YOU, I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE FROM VALERO HERE? I THOUGHT I YEAH.
PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR POSITION WITH THE COMPANY.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN, MOVERS.
ADAM KAYS, I AM SENIOR REGIONAL MANAGER OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS FOR VALERO.
>> JUST GIVE US SOME IDEA OF WHAT'S HAPPENS THAT'S KEPT THE COMPLIANCE.
OBVIOUSLY, THE LOCALS ARE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT, AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU ALREADY HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE WITHOUT PENALTY, BUT JUST TO GIVE THE BOARD SOME CLARITY AS TO WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> SURE, THIS GOES TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS ABOUT THE NEW OPT OUT OPTION.
AS WE COUNT JOBS IN THE REFINERY, WE HIRE ON A ROLLING BASIS.
WE HAVE ABOUT 550 EMPLOYEES AT THE REFINERY AT A GIVEN TIME, ABOUT 350 CONTRACTORS.
[00:30:03]
OUR SALARY BASE HAS INCREASED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRETY OF THE CONTRACT.WE CONTINUE TO HIRE BETWEEN 30 AND 45 EMPLOYEES A YEAR AND DURING COVID, WE SAW SOME ATTRITION, WE SAW RETIREMENTS, AND SO THAT'S SOME OF THE COUNTING.
IT WAS REALLY APPLES AND ORANGES FROM THE OLD RULES BEING PULLED IN FROM OTHER JOB PROGRAMS. IN COUNTING IS WHERE WE RAN INTO OUR ISSUES.
WE'VE HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT ROLLOFFS.
OUR TAX LIABILITY IN THE PARISH HAS CONTINUED TO GROW, AND SALARIES HAVE, AS I SAID, CONTINUED TO GROW DURING THE TIME IN QUESTION AS WELL.
BUT THE USE OF CONTRACTORS OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T COUNT INTO THE JOBS.
>> SURE. YES AS THE DATE OF POINT.
>> BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AND HAS BEEN OVER THE YEARS, BUT COUNTING JOB SOUNDS REAL EASY UNTIL YOU GET INTO A PROJECT AND YOU REALIZE HOW IF YOUR SECURITY IS CONTRACTED OUT TO A THIRD PARTY LIKE MOST PEOPLE DO, WELL, YOU MAY HAVE FIVE PEOPLE OR TEN PEOPLE WORKING SECURITY, BUT THAT DOESN'T COUNT AS A JOB UNDER OUR PROGRAM.
STORY AFTER STORY AFTER STORY LIKE THAT.
IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLEX THAN PERHAPS IT SHOULD BE.
I THOUGHT YOUR STORY WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO HELP THE BOARD RECOGNIZE AND UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE ISSUE.
>> SURE. AND JUST FOR A LITTLE FURTHER DETAIL.
WE WENT FROM FIVE SPECIFIC UNITS TO SIX.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE TO STAFF THAT SIXTH UNIT.
WE HAVE THE ARGUMENT THAT WE HAVE CREATED THE JOBS, PEOPLE ARE OPERATING THE NEW UNIT THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE ITE.
>> GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE, ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THERE BEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
>> ANY OPPOSITION? THERE IS NONE, THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
>> THAT CONCLUDES THE ITEP PORTION OF THE AGENDA.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER BUSINESS FROM THE BOARD? I SEE NONE. MS. ANNE VILLA IS SITTING IN FOR SECRETARY BOURGEOIS.
[9. Secretary Remarks – Secretary Susan Bourgeois]
MS. VILLA, TELL US WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON IN LED.>> WELL, GOOD MORNING. FIRST OFF, BEFORE I GET INTO ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO THANK ALL THE COMPANIES, THE APPLICANTS TODAY THAT APPEARED IN FRONT OF THE BOARD.
APPRECIATE THE CONTINUED INVESTMENT THAT YOU HAVE THAT YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE IN LOUISIANA.
WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT AND THANKFUL FOR THE BOARD, MEMBERS, THE TIME THAT YOU GIVE UP IN YOUR SCHEDULES, WHICH I KNOW ARE VERY HECTIC TO APPEAR TODAY AND TO BE A PART OF THE REVIEW OF THESE PROJECTS THAT ARE BRINGING JOBS AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO OUR STATE.
I AM SITTING IN FOR SECRETARY BOURGEOIS THIS MORNING, AND SHE'S OBVIOUSLY REPRESENTING THE DEPARTMENT THE LEGISLATURE IS IN.
SENATOR MAZEL AND REPRESENTATIVE D. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TODAY. WE APPRECIATE THAT.
JUST TO GO THROUGH SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WE'VE HAD IN CASE YOU'VE MISSED THEM, BUT IN EARLY MARCH, VENTURE GLOBAL ANNOUNCED THEIR MAJOR BROWNFIELD EXPANSION IN PLAQUEMINES SOUTH OF NEW ORLEANS, AND THAT IS A JOINT VENTURE.
THE GOVERNOR WAS JOINED WITH THE SECRETARY AND THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY AND SECRETARY OF INTERIOR.
THE PLANNED PLAQUEMINES EXPANSION FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY HAVE MISSED IT WILL CONSIST OF 24 TRAINS AND WOULD REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY $18 BILLION ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE STATE.
THAT WOULD BRING VENTURE GLOBAL'S TOTAL INVESTMENT IN OUR CURRENT AND PLANNED US PROJECTS TO OVER 75 BILLION ACROSS THE US.
ON MARCH 24, CLOSER TO HOME AND ASCENSION PARISH.
FIRST TIME EVER, THE SECRETARY AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, ALONG WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCED AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH HANDAI REPRESENTATIVES THAT HANDAI MOTOR GROUP WAS GOING TO MAKE A GROUNDBREAKING INVESTMENT IN A $5.8 BILLION NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN LOUISIANA.
THIS IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND, AND IT MARKS HANDAI'S INAUGURAL NORTH AMERICA STEEL FACILITY, WHICH IS ESTABLISHING A FULLY INTEGRATED MADE IN AMERICA SUPPLY CHAIN TO
[00:35:01]
SUPPORT ITS AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY HERE IN THE US.GERRY MENTIONED IN THE IN THE BEGINNING, BUT TOWARDS THE END, TALKING ABOUT THE PROJECTS THAT DR. REDIS AND ALSO INTERNATIONAL PAPER.
BUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A PROCESS THAT WE DO EVERY DAY, AND WE CULTIVATE SEEDS THAT ARE PLANTED LONG AGO.
ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, ASCENSION PARISH DEVELOPED THEIR RIVER PLEX MEGA PARK ON THE WEST BANK, AND THAT'S WHERE THIS FACILITY WILL BE LOCATED.
THEN LATER ON IN APRIL, CF INDUSTRIES ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO BE HAVING A FINAL INVESTMENT DECISION MADE FOR THEIR WORLD'S LARGEST PRODUCER OF AMMONIA AND ITS PARTNERS DID ANNOUNCE THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO A $4 BILLION INVESTMENT IN THE LOW CARBON AMMONIA FACILITY.
SEEDS THAT ARE PLANTED LONG AGO, TAKE A LITTLE BIT TO CULTIVATE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S VERY PATIENT. WHAT WE DO IN OUR JOBS EVERY DAY BECAUSE IT DOES TAKE SOME TIME.
ALSO, IN OUR BACKYARD, LATER IN THE WEEK OF MARCH 24, EXXON MOBILE ANNOUNCED ITS PLANS TO INVEST MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN FACILITY UPGRADES TO PRODUCE HIGH-PURITY ISOPROPYL, ALCOHOL, WHICH IS A CRITICAL MATERIAL FOR SEMICONDUCTOR CHIP MANUFACTURING IN THE US, AS YOU KNOW THAT FACILITY IS RIGHT THERE, IT'S THERE BATON ROUGE COMPLEX, AND IT'S A LEGACY CHEMICAL PLANT THAT WE HAVE.
ON APRIL 9, MID SOUTH EXTRUSIONS, WHICH IS A FAMILY-OWNED, FLEXIBLE FILM AND BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY ANNOUNCED ITS 12.5 MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION INTO THEIR PRODUCTION CAPACITY WITH THE ADDITION OF TWO NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART POLYETHYLENE EXTRUSION LINES, AND IT WILL CREATE 12 JOBS.
THIS IS THE SECOND EXPANSION THAT THE COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED.
THEY ANNOUNCED AN EXPANSION IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
ALSO, WE'VE BEEN WORKING, AS YOU KNOW, ON OUR STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON SINCE WE PASSED OUR LEGENDARY RESTRUCTURING BILL OF LED THAT SENATOR MAZEL HAD LAST YEAR, AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNER ADVISORY BOARD, AND THEY MET AND APPROVED LED STRATEGIC PLAN IN LATE MARCH.
THAT'S A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN.
WE HAD NOT HAD ONE IN OVER 16 YEARS, AND IT WAS REALLY DATA-DRIVEN DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW TO GAIN AN OUTSIDE IN UNDERSTANDING OF STATE COMPETITIVENESS.
WE HAD EXTENSIVE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
WE HELD EIGHT REGIONAL WORKSHOPS, 20 INTERVIEWS WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS AND INSTITUTIONAL LEADERS.
WE INTERVIEWED 50-PLUS ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WERE ENGAGED IN SMALL GROUP MEETINGS THAT WE HELD ACROSS THE STATE, AND OVER 250 KEY STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENTS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.
WE REALLY TOOK IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH EVERYONE AS WE FORGED FORWARD WITH OUR VISION, WHICH IS TO BUILD THE MOST ROBUST, INNOVATIVE, AND GROWING ECONOMY IN THE SOUTHEAST THAT ELEVATES ALL OF LOUISIANA.
THROUGHOUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN PROCESS, WE DID RECOGNIZE WHAT OUR COMPETITIVE POSITIONING WAS IN LOUISIANA, WHICH IS OUR ONGOING ADVANTAGES IN OUR ASSET SECTORS LIKE ENERGY, MANUFACTURING, AND PROCESS INDUSTRIES, OUR LEADERSHIP IN STEM PRODUCTION, NEW BUSINESS FORMATION, AND FAVORABLE COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS, WHERE THE US LEADER IN EXPORTS AND HIGH SPECIALIZATION OF VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN GROWTH SECTORS.
BUT WE ALSO RECOGNIZED OUR KEY CHALLENGES THAT WE NEEDED TO ADDRESS, WHICH WAS OUR HIGH DOMESTIC OUT-MIGRATION, PARTICULARLY AMONG OUR WELL-EDUCATED, WITH OVER 40% OF THE PEOPLE LEAVING HAVING A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR HIGHER.
WE REALLY NEEDED TO ADDRESS THIS.
THEN OUR GDP PER CAPITA HAS DECLINED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS.
THE JOBS AND POPULATION HAVE GROWN VERY SLOWLY.
WE IDENTIFIED OUR PILLARS OF PROSPERITY IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN, BEING THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS, OUR HIGH-WAGE EMPLOYMENT, OUR THRIVING REGIONS, GROWTH AND INNOVATION, AND OUR GLOBAL IMPACT.
THE PRIORITY SECTORS THAT WE'VE DERIVED FROM THE STRATEGIC PLAN ARE ENERGY AND PROCESS INDUSTRIES, WAREHOUSING AND LOGISTICS, AGRIBUSINESS, AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY, AND LIFE SCIENCES.
TWO FOUNDATIONAL PRIORITY INITIATIVES WHICH WILL UNDERPIN IN THE SUPPORT OF THE EXECUTION OF OUR PLAN IS THE GOVERNOR'S WHOLE OF GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC STRIKE FORCE, A FORMALIZED COLLABORATION BETWEEN
[00:40:03]
CABINET-LEVEL AGENCIES WITH MEMBERS OWNING INITIATIVES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.THIS WAS VERY KEY IN OUR SUCCESSFUL WIN OF THE META PROJECT IN DECEMBER, AS WELL AS THE HANDAI PROJECT.
WE REALLY TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DURING THE PAST 15, 16 MONTHS, AND IT TRULY HAS PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO LAUNCH A LOUISIANA OPPORTUNITY CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS A HOLISTIC COMMUNICATION STRATEGY TARGETING BUSINESSES AND HIGH-POTENTIAL TALENT TO RELOCATE TO OR REMAIN IN LOUISIANA.
WITH ALL OF THAT, WE'VE GOT OUR BILLS THAT ARE IN THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATOR MAZEL, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SENATE BILL 161, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE CALLING THE REORGANIZATION 2.0, WHICH BUILDS UPON ACT 590, WHICH WAS KNOWN AS POSITIONING LOUISIANA TO WIN, AND OF THE COMPONENTS OF IT, WERE TO INFORM OUR BEST PRACTICES AND PROMOTE GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY WHILE EXPANDING UPON RECENT STATEWIDE SUCCESS.
WITHIN THAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE CREATION OF THE LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION FUND, AND ALSO, IT'S GOING TO GIVE US THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE AND SELL LAND, AND IT HAS AGENCY STREAMLINING.
THOSE ARE SOME OF THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THAT.
OUR NEXT LEGISLATIVE ACTION THAT WE HAVE IS THE CREATION OF OUR HIGH-IMPACT JOB CREATION PROGRAM, WHICH REPRESENTATIVE EMERSON IS CARRYING THAT HOUSE BILL 507.
FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, THE STATE OF LOUISIANA HAS INCENTIVIZED JOB CREATION WITH THE QUALITY JOBS PROGRAM.
SINCE FY16, THE PROGRAM HAS SEEN PARTICIPATION FROM COMPANIES CREATING OVER 22,000 NEW JOBS.
WHAT THE PROGRAM HAS NOT DONE IS REALLY DRIVEN TOWARDS THAT HIGH WAGE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE AND TO PROVIDE A PATHWAY TO EVER-GROWN WAGES, LED HAS DEVELOPED THIS HIGH-IMPACT JOB CREATION PROGRAM.
THE PROGRAM PROVIDES A REIMBURSABLE GRANT TO A COMPANY BASED ON NEW JOBS CREATED THAT PAY ABOVE THE PARISH AVERAGE WAGE IN THE PARISH THAT THE PROJECT IS LOCATED.
NEW JOBS PAYING 125% OF THE PARISH AVERAGE RECEIVE AN 18% GRANT.
NEW JOBS PAYING ABOVE 150% OF THE PARISH AVERAGE RECEIVE A 22% GRANT.
THE PROGRAM WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOR A LOWER THRESHOLD OF ELIGIBILITY IN MOST DISTRESSED PARISHES.
NEW JOBS PAYING 110% OF THE POWERS AVERAGE RAGE IN THE DISTRESSED REGION WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN 8% BENEFIT.
THE PROGRAMS RURAL WILL DEFINE WHAT IS DISTRESSED, BUT BASED ON SOME OF THE OTHER STATE MODELS THAT WE'VE SEEN, IT MAY BE DEFINED AS THE BOTTOM 25% OF WEEKLY WAGES AS AN EXAMPLE.
THEN REPRESENTATIVE DESATEL, THANK YOU.
HOUSE BILL 433 IS THE LED SITE DEVELOPMENT.
THIS PROPOSED LEGISLATION ESTABLISHES A SITE INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE FUND IMPROVEMENT FUND THAT WILL RECEIVE AN INITIAL DEPOSIT HOPEFULLY OF 150 MILLION FROM THE STATE GENERAL FUND.
IN EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR, THE FUND WILL RECEIVE 10% OF RECURRING STATE GENERAL FUND REVENUE NOT TO EXCEED 50 MILLION.
AS RECOGNIZED BY THE REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE.
THE PRINCIPLES OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO LEVERAGE FUNDING TO BUILD UPON EXISTING ASSETS WITH REGIONAL IMPACT TO INCREASE EXISTING INVENTORY OF READY SITES, TO INVEST IN SITES THAT SUPPORT DEMONSTRATED MARKET DEMAND ALIGNED WITH PRIORITY SECTORS WITHIN THE LED STRATEGIC PLAN.
IT'S GOING TO ENSURE PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY AND GROWTH THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.
AS YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'VE HAD IS OUR SITE.
WE'VE ONLY HAD ONE MEGA SITE THAT WE'VE HAD WITHIN THE STATE THAT WAS INVESTED OVER 20 YEARS AGO.
THIS WILL ALLOW US THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH SITES THAT WE KNOW THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME IMPROVEMENTS WITH AND SOME LEVERAGE SOME PRIVATE INVESTMENT AS WELL.
WE ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER BILLS, SENATE BILL 232 WITH SENATOR BASS, WHICH IS OUR MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE MAJOR EVENTS INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO LED.
WE'RE MAKING SOME IMPROVEMENTS ON THAT ONE, AND SENATOR HARRIS IS CARRYING THAT.
THERE'S LOTS THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE LAST MET, AND WE HOPE TO HAVE A LOT MORE TO REPORT OUT POSITIVELY IN JUNE WHEN WE MEET AGAIN.
THEN FOR THOSE OF YOU, I'M GOING TO PROBABLY EMBARRASS CHRISTINA SMITH,
[00:45:03]
BUT SHE'S OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR LED.WITH THE BILL THAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR, THERE WAS POSITIONS THAT WERE ELIMINATED THAT WERE APPOINTED POSITIONS.
CHRISTINA IS FILLING THIS NEW POSITION THAT WE HAVE AT LED AS WE RESTRUCTURE INTERNALLY, CONTINUE TO RESTRUCTURE INTERNALLY.
WE'VE CREATED THIS POSITION, AND THIS POSITION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, AS WELL AS OUR COMPLIANCE AND REPORTING.
EACH OF YOU WILL GET TO KNOW CHRISTINA, I'M SURE THROUGHOUT YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH LED.
DO WANT TO TAKE ONE POINT OF PRIVILEGE THOUGH TO REALLY APPRECIATE INCENTIVE THANKS.
THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO SUPPORTING THE SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT THE PROGRAMS THAT COME IN FRONT OF THE BOARD.
YEOMAN'S WORK WAS DONE WITH OUR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS OF ITEP AND OUR IT TEAM AT LED, THE PAST SIX MONTHS TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING READY WITH OUR EMERGENCY RULES THAT OUR LEGAL TEAM ALSO ASSISTED GREATLY ON IN PUTTING ALL THAT IN PLACE SO THAT WHEN THE RULES BECAME EFFECTIVE, WE COULD JUST TURN ON THE SWITCH, SO TO SPEAK, AND THE SYSTEM WAS THERE TO SUPPORT THE COMPANIES IN THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE.
THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT GOES BEHIND THAT.
YOU DON'T REALLY REALIZE WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM, OUR ADMINISTRATION TEAM, AND OUR IT TEAM.
I JUST WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK THEM FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK THEY'VE BEEN DOING THE PAST SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR, REALLY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MS. VILLA, AND I SECOND, ESPECIALLY YOUR LAST COMMENTS THAT STAFF AND A LOT OF THE NEW BOARD MEMBERS, THEY SIT THROUGH THESE BOARD MEETINGS AND THEY GO, ALL WE'RE DOING IS VOTING, AND MOST OF TIME WE'RE VOTING YES.
WHAT ARE WE REALLY DOING HERE? THE REALITY IS THAT IF THE COMPANIES ARE DOING THEIR JOB AND STAFF IS DOING ITS JOB, THEN WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TO DO.
THE ONLY TIME THAT WE REALLY DO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO IS WHEN THERE'S A BLIP.
THERE'S AN ISSUE. SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED.
WE'RE HERE TO BREAK THOSE TIES.
YOU MAY FEEL LIKE YOUR PRESENCE HERE IS NOT NEEDED IS ABSOLUTELY NEEDED BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW FROM MEETING TO MEETING WHEN THOSE BLIPS WILL HAPPEN, AND WE WILL NEED YOUR WISDOM AND YOUR EXPERIENCE TO HELP GUIDE US THROUGH THOSE.
BUT FOR THE MOST PART, THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT WORK THE WAY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO GO.
AS I SAY, AS LONG AS THE COMPANY DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO, AND OUR STAFF DOES WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO, IT SHOULD BE SEAMLESS, AND IT SHOULD BE PROFORMA.
BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP WORKING AND TO YOU AND TO SECRETARY BOURGEOIS, AND I CAN'T SEE MS. SMITH, BUT WELCOME CHRISTINA TO THE TEAM.
I'VE BEEN SITTING ON THIS BOARD.
I THINK THIS IS MY 16TH OR 17TH YEAR.
BUT I CAN SAY WITHOUT FEAR OF CONTRADICTION, I HAVE NEVER SEEN LED AS ACTIVE AND INTENSELY DOING WHAT IT IS THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.
IT TICKLES ME THAT THERE'S AN ENERGY AND A DESIRE TO SUCCEED THAT I JUST LOUISIANA NEEDED THIS.
THANK YOU TO GOVERNOR LANDRY FOR HIS APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY BOURGEOIS AND TO HER LEADERSHIP IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN.
THEN ALL OF YOU WHO ARE PART PLAYERS IN THAT AS WELL.
THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE-
>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE THAT YOU ALL ME TO YOU.
>> MY COMMUNITY OF ADDIS, LOUISIANA IS GETTING A LOT OF NATIONAL EXPOSURE RIGHT NOW.
ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, JOHN FOSTER BEN WISE ON AMERICAN IDOL CURRENTLY, AND HE IS IN THE TOP 14 VYING AND GO IN THE TOP 12.
HE'S NOT ONLY REPRESENTING ADDIS AND WEST BATON ROT, HE'S REPRESENTING THE WHOLE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
I'M TRYING TO GET EVERYBODY TO PUSH FOR JOHN FOSTER.
HE WAS A VALEDICTORIAN AT BRO HIGH SCHOOL LAST YEAR.
HE'S HOPING TO BECOME AN ONCOLOGIST AND HE WANTS TO BECOME A SINGING ONCOLOGIST.
I HOPE TO KEEP HIM IN THE STATE OF, LOUISIANA, BUT HE'S DOING A GREAT JOB.
>> EARLY AND OFTEN. STARTING SUNDAY NIGHT. THAT'S RIGHT. NUMBER 13.
>> GREAT. NO SHAMELESS PLUG THERE.
ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER? IF NOT, WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
[00:50:01]
MOTION MAYOR SECOND, SENATOR MAZEL.>> WE'RE DONE. THANK YOU. SEA NEXT TWO MONTHS FROM NOW.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.