Expansion of Baton Rouge Polyolefins Plant brings new jobs, capital investment
Baton Rouge, La. (March 1, 2019) – The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) today celebrated ExxonMobil’s expansion announcement set to bring more than $500 million in new investment and 65 permanent jobs to its Polyolefins Plant in East Baton Rouge Parish with the following statement:
“This is a great day for our community. ExxonMobil is East Baton Rouge Parish’s largest manufacturer, and we join with them in celebrating its largest local investment in almost a decade. This expansion, part of ExxonMobil’s $20 billion Growing the Gulf initiative, was a hard-fought win for our region. It is critical to acknowledge the importance of the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) in our community’s ability to compete for these new, high-paying jobs. The taxes paid by this project will fund community services for decades.
“Our sharp critique of the local ITEP process remains. There are more projects like this one today that we can win for Baton Rouge. However, the ITEP needs to be stable and predictable, while having accountability to ensure companies deliver on their promises. BRAC will continue to advocate for increased transparency, predictability, and fair application of the ITEP program going forward, so our regional economy keeps growing.”
About the Baton Rouge Area Chamber
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) leads economic development in the nine-parish Baton Rouge Area, working to grow jobs and wealth and to improve the business climate and competitiveness in the region. Today, BRAC investors include more than 1,500 small businesses, mid-sized firms, large industry and entrepreneurial startups, as well as individuals and organizations that support business and economic development. In this capacity, BRAC serves as the voice of the business community, providing knowledge, access, services and advocacy. More information is available at brac.org.