Marathon boosts St. John economy with $6.3 million 2000 tax payment

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 2, 2001

LAPLACE – Larry Echelberger, manager, Dan Ehrhart, division controller and Gretchen Plewak, human resources manager of Marathon Ashland Petroleums Louisiana Refining Division in Garyville presented checks for over $6.3 million on December 28 to the St. John the Baptist Parish Tax Collector and Sheriff Wayne Jones, representing the companys 2000 property taxes. The exact amount of the checks, $6,275,254.27, equals approximately 66 percent of all industry property taxes and 30 percent of the total property taxes collected by St. John Parish this year, which again rank Marathon as the largest property taxpayer in the parish.

In addition to property taxes, Marathon contributes approximately $1.4 million per year directly to the parish through sales taxes on its purchases of materials and equipment used in refinery operations. This annual sales tax contribution is being even further enhanced as a result of the refinerys current expansion project, which is estimated to result in an additional $2 million in non-recurring sales taxes to the parish in 2000.

Echelberger also noted that Marathons contribution to the parish and state is not limited to the amount of taxes paid. Marathon also conducts business with over 100 local merchants and suppliers and generates a significant amount of employment for area residents. Marathon presently employs approximately 500 regular employees at its refinery and over 400 contract employees on average per day.

The company has invested millions of dollars in Garyville to fully comply with the new environmental regulations and enjoys one of the best environmental records in Louisiana. Marathons Garyville Refinery has also been recognized by OSHA for its commitment to safety and health as the refinery is one of only nine in the United States which is an OSHA STAR facility.

Marathon Ashland Petroleum and its employees contribute to the community through involvement with the Louisiana Technical College, River Parishes Campus, public education, volunteer fire departments, charitable organization and other activities. Echelberger stated, “we want to be a company that the public considers an asset to the community and at the same time remains competitive so the community can count on us for continued support.”