5-6 news: Bill to save Louisiana plant moves forward
Senate Bill 283, sponsored by Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, changes the rules of Louisiana’s $400 million “mega-project” fund, which is designed to lure large-scale industrial projects to the state, reports the Times-Picayune. The change would let the state use $40 million to support the purchase of the Pilgrim’s Pride facility by Foster Farms. Another $10 million would be used to pay for capital improvements to the plant.
The bill is moving through the state government quickly, as the plant is scheduled to close on Friday, and delays would add to the time that the plant’s workers would be unemployed. If the bill is signed into law, the state Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee would still have to approve the money and a contract detailing the agreement between the state and Foster Farms.