The options have been narrowed in a race to secure construction of a steel mill. The German company will choose between Louisiana and Alabama.
The steel mill, which would be located in St. James Parish, would create 29,000 construction jobs to build the plant and an additional 2,700 jobs to operate the plant.
The mill would be built on the Mississippi River, an area accessible for trade, and would send a signal that Louisiana is still a focal point in the movement of goods along the river.
In the 2006 legislative special session, Gov. Kathleen Blanco and other state leaders requested $300 million be set aside to entice the company to build on the prospective site in Convent.
At the time there were more location options for the company. Now that Arkansas has been removed from consideration, Louisiana seems to be in the industry-attracting finals.
This prospective should not be taken lightly by state leaders.
In the special session, the legislature refused to raise the spending cap that would have allowed for direct appropriation of the funds.
Instead they resolved to pass an agreement that will require them to appropriate the money when they return to session in April.
Luckily the debate over spending the money on luring the company and the jobs it will bring didn’t appear to be a slight to the people deciding between Louisiana and Alabama.
The construction of the company could provide a starting point for the decreasing industrial economy in this state.
During the session Blanco representatives compared the possibilities of the project to the construction of a Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance, Ala.
The company not only brought the manufacturing of the M, R and GL classes of Mercedes-Benz, but also jobs, economic growth and tax revenue to the city outside Tuscaloosa.
These benefits could be a reality for Louisiana, too.
Part of the decision by companies to build large industrial plants such as the prospective steel mill is the willingness of local government to work with the company.
Louisiana must prove to be a benevolent host, not only to attract the steel mill, but to continue to strive to bring business to Louisiana.
Discouraging debate, such as that which occurred on the floor during the special session, should not continue.
In order to further the economic growth of this state all must be done to attract large business and industry.
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All must be done to attract industry
February 9, 2007