Investing in St. Charles Parish

Valero and Darling Ingredients aren’t only investing $1.4 billion in their facilities, but also in St. Charles Parish.

Jerry Stumbo, vice president and general manager of Valero’s St. Charles Refinery in Norco, emphasized the point to the Parish Council, which welcomed the news with open arms.

The discussion focused on Valero and Diamond Green Diesel’s applications for partial industrial tax exemption that come up for consideration on the state level in April.

But this future builds on the parish’s already impressive growth with Monsanto’s $900 million expansion in Luling and Entergy’s St. Charles Power Station expected to come online in April.

For Valero, Stumbo said it was the parish’s supportive environment in doing business that has drawn the company’s continuous decision to invest here.

“Your continuous support has allowed us to invest $5.2 billion in our facility right here in St. Charles Parish,” he said.

When Diamond Green Diesel expands to address growing demand for renewable diesel, it will become the second largest of its kind in the world and second largest in the United States. Both the companies and the parish should revel in this planned status.

The growth will generate millions in new tax revenue, more than 100 permanent jobs and economic growth for the parish.

But Stumbo emphasized Valero’s commitment to community and philanthropy, which John Dias, director of the United Way of St. Charles, agreed has translated into millions donated for children’s meals and books, as well as cancer patients getting assistance.

Stumbo said Valero has given more than $9.7 million to the UW, as well as thousands of volunteer hours to community efforts.

In community, the company has agreed to job and vendor fairs to encourage local employment, as well as workshops that can help get those jobs.

 

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