LED Seeks State’s Top Manufacturers

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Economic Development is now accepting nominations of the state’s leading manufacturers, who will be honored at the 2017 Lantern Awards. The awards are presented annually to outstanding manufacturers from each of Louisiana’s eight regional planning and development districts. The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, April 24.

Nomination packets may be obtained at the Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts website, www.lapdd.org. Packets nominating a manufacturer should be returned to the corresponding planning district office. Anyone may nominate a manufacturer for the award.

LED Secretary Don Pierson said, “By creating high-quality jobs and delivering essential products, Louisiana’s manufacturers embody the productivity and innovative spirit that define our people. Each year, the Lantern Awards recognize the top manufacturers in our state. We seek to honor companies that are contributing significantly to our economy and to the communities in which they operate. We encourage everyone to nominate a deserving Louisiana-based manufacturer for the Lantern Awards, so that these significant employers can receive their due recognition.”

Awards will be presented Tuesday, June 6 at a reception held at the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion. Award-winners are chosen for their excellence in manufacturing and their community involvement during the three years prior to the nomination. Louisiana has honored more than 300 manufacturers since 1979 through the Lantern Awards.

Last year’s winners included a range of companies that illustrate the diversity of Louisiana manufacturers, including Falcon Rice Mill/Cajun Country Rice of Crowley; Conrad Industries of Morgan City; Methanex USA of Geismar; UPS Midstream Services of Trout; B. Viz Design of St. Joseph; Magnolia Steel of Natchitoches; Boscoli Foods of Kenner; and Howell Industries of Sulphur.

Award-winners receive lanterns that are handcrafted and donated by Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights of New Orleans. Since 1945, Bevolo has manufactured traditional and antique lighting. The Lantern Awards are a partnership of LED, the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association, the Louisiana Quality Foundation and the Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts. For more information about the 2017 Lantern Awards, contact Skip Smart at 225.342.4321 or smart@la.gov

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