Cause and effect: Industry accounts for half of all property tax collections in East Baton Rouge Parish, and two of every three tax dollars collected in the Capital Region. Those were just some of the figures presented at the Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance’s annual meeting on Thursday, at which the organization and business leaders voiced support for a strong Industrial Tax Exemption Program. Of the 10 parishes receiving the most ITEP exemptions from 2011 to 2016, four of them are in the Capital Region and they boast three of the state’s top five school districts—Zachary, Central and Ascension.
Top honors: A project by Leesville-based Champion Home Builders is among 30 in the U.S. being recognized by Trade and Industry Development for job creation. The company has received a Corporate Investment and Community Impact Award for its $1.3 million investment in a new manufacturing facility in Vernon Parish that’s expected to create 200 new jobs in the area. Champion manufactures modular homes and buildings, and RVs, and is expected to produce more than $14.5 million in new state and local tax revenue in the next decade, according to Louisiana Economic Development, which has more details on the award.
Buy local: Mayor Sharon Weston Broome has launched a new campaign to encourage residents to support local businesses in honor of Small Business Week. Broome is pushing the Buy Baton Rouge initiative in partnership with the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and two apps, sLocal and SellSwipe, that aim to boost local business sales.
