LINCOLN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Ruston, Louisiana

SPECIAL CALLED SESSION

Thursday, September 28, 2023  11:00 a.m.

The Lincoln Parish School Board met in Special Called Session on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Board Room of the Lincoln Parish School Board Office, 410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, Louisiana. Members present were Mr. Clark Canterbury, Ms. Donna Doss, Mr. David Ferguson, Mr. Danny Hancock, Ms. Lynda Henderson, Mr. George Mack, Jr., Mr. Joe Mitcham, Mr. Gregg Phillips, Mr. Hunter Smith, and Dr. Danielle Williams.

Ms. Debbie Abrahm and Mr. Otha Anders were absent.

President Joe Mitcham called the meeting to order and gave the invocation.  Mr. Mack led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Ms. Doss, the Board unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as printed.

Justyn Dixon, President and CEO of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, thanked the Board for the opportunity to present a project that has been in the works for over four years with the finance firm JP Morgan Chase.  Their plan is for a substantial investment in north Louisiana, and they have chosen Lincoln Parish to build a $30 million, 50,000 sq. ft. facility, which could eventually employ as many as 200 people.

Tania Hilburn, Managing Director/Site Lead with JP Morgan Chase, introduced her team and shared with the Board additional information about the project. She also shared that she is a product of Lincoln Parish Schools and Louisiana Tech, and that this is a great opportunity to bring additional jobs home to Lincoln Parish.

Ms. Hilburn added that JPMC is about engagement in the community.  She then introduced Latetao Hutchinson, Vice President of Communications and Community Impact with JPMC, who told the Board some of the ways that they are already invested in Ruston and Lincoln Parish with Career Fairs for Grambling State University and Louisiana Tech University, and Dollars and Sense Reality Fairs.

Mayor Ronny Walker congratulated LPSB on the recent incredible news about our school system.  He echoed the fact that this project is an incredible opportunity for Lincoln Parish and when companies are being recruited, the educational systems in the area are a big piece in the process.

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Hancock, the Board unanimously voted, by roll call vote 10 – 0, to adopt a Resolution Conveying Support of an Annual Payment-In-Lieu of Tax Agreement between the Industrial Development Board of the City of Ruston, Louisiana, Inc. and “Project Middle”.

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Phillips, the meeting adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

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Ricky Durrett, Secretary                                                             Joe E. Mitcham, Jr., President