This year marks the tenth anniversary of the longstanding partnership between LaSalle Parish and The GEO Group’s LaSalle ICE Processing Center (LIPC), which is operated by The GEO Group.
The facility, formerly known as the LaSalle Detention Facility, is located on Pine Hill Road in Jena.
Warden D. C. Cole and everyone at LIPC wishes to thank LaSalle Parish for their outstanding support of the unique mission of LIPC.
“At The GEO Group (LIPC), we strive to immerse ourselves into the local culture and become exceptional members of our communities,” Warden Cole stated.
“At LIPC, we’ve accomplished this by developing strong relationships with community leaders, participating in various community events, and leading the way in numerous charitable organizations,” he said.
“While LIPC has had a positive local economic impact over the past 10 years amounting to over $1-billion in payroll, we are most proud of the $116,000 in scholarships that we’ve provided to nearly 114 LaSalle Parish students.
“Furthermore, we have an active ‘Relay forLife’ team that has contributed over $35,000 in donations towards cancer research and patient support. The dedication that our staff shows to the community continues all year in the form of blood drives and gifts and donations to community organizations, such as Colonial Trails, The Strand Theatre project, La- Salle Nursing Home, A.P.P.L.E.S., Head Start, and the LaSalle Council on Aging.
“Additionally, over the past 10 years, our employees have contributed more than 5,000 hours of community service.
“We are blessed to be part of a wonderful community and are confident that we’ll continue to do great things together over the next ten years,” Warden Cole concluded.
Congratulations
Walter E. Dorroh, Jr., President of the LaSalle Economic Development District (LEDD), issued the following statement on the tenth anniversary of The GEO Group in LaSalle Parish:
“As we observe the 10th anniversary of The GEO Group’s partnership with LEDD and with our parish, it is appropriate first to congratulate GEO for its successful involvement in our parish.
“GEO is the largest taxpayer of ad valorem taxes and one of the largest employers in our parish. But more important than the numbers is the intangible quality that GEO has brought to this parish. GEO is an impeccable corporate neighbor.
“The company has done everything it has promised to do and more since coming to our parish. It was through GEO and with the leadership and innovative thinking of Warden David Cole along with Cynthia Cockerham of LEDD that we began the highly successful Scholars Night.
“Through this program deserving students from the two high schools receive scholarships which help with their college educations. This is just one example of how GEO has contributed to our parish above and beyond the simple raw numbers of ad valorem taxes and good jobs.
“Another important benefit of having a corporate neighbor like GEO is that we have been able to diversify away from our long time foundation industries of timber and oil. These industries continue to be very important and very appreciated in LaSalle parish.
“However, we all remember what occurred 30 years ago when oil spiraled down to unprecedented low prices. The impact was devastating. Although we have experienced a similar downturn in the oil and gas industry in the last three years, the impact though harsh has not been nearly as severe as the late 1980s. This is because we have been fortunate to diversify our economy with corporate neighbors like GEO.
“The economic impact of this wonderful company on our parish has been positive in every way. The working relationship between GEO, LEDD, and parish and town government has been outstanding. The personal relationships have been very friendly and productive.
“It is a pleasure working with Warden Cole and his staff and a genuine privilege to be able to partner with such a great group. We wish continued success to our friends at GEO and look forward to many more years working together for the betterment of our parish.”
The GEO Group is the largest taxpayer in LaSalle Parish, with their 2017 tax bill being $995,375.57. These taxes go to support schools, law enforcement, roads, garbage, courthouse, library, ambulance service, and all the other public services provided to citizens of this parish.
Jena Mayor La- Dawn Edwards also congratulates The GEO Group upon their tenth anniversary of operating in Jena.
“The GEO Group is one of the town’s largest employers and is a great asset to not only Jena, but the whole parish and surrounding area,” Mayor Edwards said. “In addition to being Jena’s largest utility customer and taxpayer, The GEO Group is heavily involved in community activities at all levels. We could not ask for a better industrial neighbor.”
“Again, congratulations on your tenth anniversary,”
