IPC panel to discuss ‘zone’

Nearly all of Wednesday’s 6 p.m. Iberia Parish Council Executive Committee meeting will focus on the tax-incentive “Enterprise Zone” program, a status local companies could get if approved by committee members.

Nine Iberia Parish businesses could be affected.

Being labeled an Enterprise Zone helps businesses and Iberia Parish. The so-named “EZ” incentive program provides Louisiana Income and Franchise tax credits to a business hiring a minimum number of net new employees.

Sales and use tax rebates may also be available. EZs are areas with high unemployment, low income or a high percentage of residents receiving some form of public assistance.

On Wednesday, the seven-member committee will talk about giving EZ status to BFC Partners LTC; New Iberia Owners LLC; JDBO Modular LLC; Callfree Media Technology Inc.; Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.; Diversified Holdings; Dynamic Industries Inc.; MEGHA LLC d/b/a Hampton Inn and Suites of New Iberia; and Unique Manufacturing and Services, LLC.

In two other items, the seven-member Executive Committee is set to accept the resignation of Wes Pattillo as a member of the Iberia Parish Sewerage District No. 1 Board of Commissioners, effective immediately, and consider endorsing the application of The Gouguenheim and FIE, LLC, for the Restoration Tax Abatement Program.

Executive Committee members are Chairperson Maggie F. Daniels, Curtis Boudoin, Lloyd Brown, Caesar Comeaux, Barry Verret, M. Larry Richard and Naray Hulin.

The meeting is conducted once a month — the third Wednesday, usually — on the fourth floor of the parish courthouse at 300 Iberia St. The public is invited and urged to attend all public meetings where parish business is conducted. There are four committees: Executive, Public Health and Safety, Finance and Public Works.

All make recommendations to the full council, which meets twice a month and usually approves each committee’s recommendations.