Beauregard School Board approves ITEP plan for Packing Corporation of America

By Emily Burleigh

The Beauregard Parish School Board unanimously voted to approve an industrial tax exemption for Packing Corporation of America in DeRidder at the regular meeting on Thursday, July 18.

PCA is one of the largest producers of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in the country.

The DeRidder Containerboard Mill is the only PCA location in Louisiana, and manufactures Kraft paper with pine logs recycled paper.

At the agenda meeting on Monday, Superintendent Larry Hollie said that BPSB is the first of the three parish entities to vote on this ITEP application. The Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office and Beauregard Parish Police Jury will also have to consider the ITEP application.

He noted to the board that representatives with the other entities said they would follow BPSB’s lead.

“Their thoughts, I will share with you, that with the loss of two major businesses locally, recently, that it may be worth considering giving this exemption to solidify PCA’s place in our community.”

“If there’s one thing we can’t afford to lost, it’s PCA,” said Jared Kiobodeux, District 4A.

According to the ITEP application that was received by Louisiana Economic Development on March 28 of this year, the project began in November 2022 and ended December 31, 2023.

The $15,760,995 project included additions to the mill’s lime kiln – like a new kiln chain system, burner management system, motor control center and equipment – to improve chemical recovery capabilities and increase cost efficiency.

No new permanent jobs were established, but 468 construction jobs were created and 554 existing jobs are expected to be retained.

The estimated property tax exemption for ten years at 80 percent exempted is $1,961,865.62 divided among three entities.