One-point-two million taxpayer dollars will lure a Houston-based firm to Port Allen, Louisiana, creating 53 new jobs.
Criterion
Catalysts & Technologies LP is building a $250 million-dollar
port expansion, due to complete in late 2009. Criterion, which employs 17, will add 53 jobs paying an average of $59,000 a year plus benefits.
The $1.2 million-dollar award from the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation will pay to refurbish a dormant water well near the Criterion site and pay for drilling a new well. Criterion and other local companies will benefit from the increased water capacity.
The award is in the form of a loan that would be paid back only if Criterion fails to meet its job targets. Criterion chose Port Allen from over eight other sites worldwide. It operates a pair of catalyst plants in California and another in Indiana.
Port Allen is a city in West Baton Rouge Parish, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River. The population was 5,278 in 2000.