When executives at Bercen Inc. considered relocating to
Louisiana, they saw a state filled with potential and opportunity.
They were intrigued by the state's business friendly tax
environment, its vibrant petrochemical industry and its abundance
of raw materials.
Because of Louisiana's competitive edge, the paper chemical
producer will relocate its headquarters, as well as its research
and development and technical service laboratories, from Cranston,
R.I., to Denham Springs, La., in December 2009.
Bercen President and CEO Jim Thorpe also liked the proximity to
the universities in the area, which had been home to the company's
manufacturing operation for years.
"We started studying the potential of moving our headquarters to
Louisiana because of the successes we have had with interns from
Louisiana State University and Southeastern Louisiana University,"
said Thorpe. "We were able to hire a Ph.D. from LSU to work in our
research and development facility, and the $500,000 [Rapid Response
Fund] from LED solidified the deal."
In addition to the company's relocation, Bercen is planning a $5
million expansion of its existing Denham Springs manufacturing
facility, which has been providing innovative products and services
to the paper industry for more than 40 years.
The bottom line, Thorpe said, is that Louisiana offered Bercen a
"more competitive business climate." He estimated the company would
save $700,000 to $800,000 per year by moving its headquarters to
Denham Springs. Bercen will receive $500,000 for infrastructure and
relocation expenses from the Rapid Response Fund, as well as
Quality Jobs program incentives.
