By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – In recognition of the company’s commitment to St. John Parish, Marathon Petroleum was presented with the Lantern Award for community contributions in a ceremony held at the Louisiana Governor’s mansion in Baton Rouge.

Recipients of the Lantern award, which is presented by the Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts and the Economic Development Department of Louisiana, are selected on the basis of their contributions over a period of time to the betterment of their communities, growth in the number of employees, and expansion of their facilities.

A recipient from each of the state’s planning districts was selected with Marathon representing the South Central Planning and Development District. Each business also must demonstrate sustainability by remaining in operation at least three years prior to the nomination.

St. John Public Information Officer Buddy Boe said several key factors were highlighted by the parish in their nomination of Marathon, including the company’s $3.5 billion expansion currently underway at the Garyville refinery. Other factors for the nomination were Marathon’s contributions to the United Way of St. John, investment in the Ezekial Jackson Park in Garyville and Marathon ’s assuming ownership and promotion of the San Francisco Plantation.

“It was an honor to nominate Marathon for this award and I look forward to working with them in the future as their expansion progresses,” said Parish President Bill Hubbard. “I would like to take one more opportunity to thank them for being a good neighbor to the Garyville community, where their facility is located, and to the St. John community as a whole.”

The employment base of Marathon is 690 full-time permanent employees and 350 contractor personnel. After the expansion there will be a total of 770 full-time permanent employees and 430 contractor personnel.

The Lantern Award winners received copper lanterns made in Louisiana by skilled craftsmen at Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights in New Orleans.

The nomination process began in February 2008 and was headed by the Director of Economic Development for St. John, Julia Remondet.