By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — The Louisiana Institute of Film Technology sent a letter of intent to the St. John Parish Civic Center marketing consultant Wayne Read to utilize the center for 2006 at $12,000 per month.

L.I.F.T. has agreed to pay the amount for rental of the stage, offices and surrounding properties beginning Jan. 1, 2006 until Dec. 31, 2006, which does not include the price for phone service, Internet, office support, utilities and related services, according to the letter.

Councilman Sean Roussel said he is “very pleased with what Wayne Read has done to promote the Civic Center,” he said.

“This just goes to show that what’s on the surface is not all that exists in this marketing plan,” Roussel said. “What was previously reported was inaccurate that we received nothing through our plan. This opportunity will more than pay for the operating cost of the center. We are relying on the administration to close the deal, and we are completely confidant they will do so.”

Roussel said this is a great opportunity to bring the film industry to the area, and a big deal for the Parish, because of the positive economic impact it will have.