ST. HELENA, La. (AP) — Plans are moving forward for a $90 million dollar sawmill project that could bring nearly 100 jobs to a Louisiana parish.
The new sawmill in St. Helena Parish is expected to employ 95 workers full time by 2022 and create 120 construction jobs at the site near Greensburg, according to state economic development documents.
Florida Parishes Forest Products LLC filed an economic incentive agreement with the state in early August, including a request that would exempt the mill from property taxes for up to its first 10 years, The Advocate reported.
The Board of Commerce and Industry is expected to grant the exemption if there are no objections from the local school board, sheriff’s office and police jury, the news outlet said.
There are more than 200,000 acres (80,937 hectares) of forest across the parish, making timber among its largest industries, according to the newspaper.
