Don Pierson, Secretary of Louisiana Develpoment, talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the changes - and implementation - of ITEP, the state's Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

Pierson tells KEEL listeners that the changes in the program, now being implemented across the state at a local level, were put in place almost two years ago by a John Bel Edwards executive order which took control of the ITEP approval process from the state and moved it to local parishes and municipalities. Application for the tax exemptions for manufacturing industries will now be considered by the parish commission, parish school board, parish sheriff and city council in the specific area in which the business operates.

The state head of economic development explains that the new rules regarding ITEP approval are "actually not that complicated," but adds that "there's a lot of misinformation out there that may be stirring up some lack of understanding about the program."

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