2025-0307
INTRODUCED BY: MATTHEW JEWELL, PARISH PRESIDENT
(DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM)
RESOLUTION NO. ____________
Title
A resolution authorizing the St. Charles Parish Council to approve the Industrial Tax Exemption application for W.R. Grace & Co. Project ID: 20230486-ITE for participation in the Industrial Tax Exemption Program for expansion and safety improvements at W.R. Grace in Norco, Louisiana.
Body
WHEREAS, Article 7, Section 21(F) of the Louisiana Constitution provides for the Board of Commerce and Industry (“BCI”), with the approval of the Governor, to approve contracts for the exemption of ad valorem taxes of a new manufacturing establishment or an addition to an existing manufacturing establishment, on such terms and conditions as the board, with the approval of the Governor, deems in the best interest of the state; and,
WHEREAS, former Governor Edwards, through Executive Orders JBE 16-26 and 16-73, has set forth the conditions for the Governor’s approval of ITE contracts for which advance notifications were filed after June 14, 2016, and, affirmed that those conditions are in the best interest of the State of Louisiana; and,
WHEREAS, the above-referenced Executive Orders provide that ITE contracts should be premised upon job and payroll creation and retention at new or expanded manufacturing plants or establishments; and,
WHEREAS, the 2018 rules, Title 13, Ch. 5, Section 501 et seq., promulgated by the Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED), Office of Business Development, and approved by the BCI, mandates parameters for ITE approval and requires local review and potential action or consent by the relevant Parish Council, School Board and Sheriff; and,
WHEREAS, per 2024 Emergency Rules, Title 13, Part I, Chapter 5, Subchapter B, the parameters set forth by the 2018 rules apply to all projects with advance notice filed with the LED after June 14, 2016 and before February 20, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, W.R. Grace & Co. filed its advance notice on January 10, 2024, for an Industrial Tax Exemption (“ITE”) and now seeks local approval for a contract granting an exemption for an expansion, including new tanks, a new administrative building, and safety improvements and upgrades of its control room, increasing the facility’s value and utility per Section 502(1)(c); and,
WHEREAS, the proposed project described herein satisfies new job and payroll creation requirements while generating an estimated $373,308 in additional Ad Valorem taxes; and,
WHEREAS, in addition to satisfying the minimum program requirements, W.R. Grace Co. has committed to executing supplemental local performance obligations which will increase employment opportunity for local residents and procurement opportunities for local businesses, as well as its commitment to continued productive partnerships with our school system.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL upon consideration of the foregoing and the public discussion held this day, supports and consents to the application for Industrial Tax Exemption by W.R. Grace & Co. for the project referenced herein.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to W.R. Grace and Co., Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry, LED, and Governor Landry.
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the resolution was declared adopted this ________ day of ___________, 2025, to become effective five (5) days after publication in the Official Journal.
CHAIRMAN:______________________________________________
SECRETARY:_____________________________________________
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:_________________________________
APPROVED:______________ DISAPPROVED:__________________
PARISH PRESIDENT:______________________________________
RETD/SECRETARY:_______________________________________
AT:_______________ RECD BY: _____________________________