In a statement released by Councilmember Nguyen related to progress made after the tornado that tore through New Orleans East on February 7, 2017, it was reported that on February 6, 2020 the New Orleans City Council approved an Industrial Tax Exemption (ITE) to incentivize Iriapak, a 25-year old business based in Vergiate, Italy, to establish new production in the area. Iriapak specializes in the printing of plastic paper packaging products used by the top producers of home paper products such as tissue and paper towels.
In the statement it was said that the owner of Iriapak, who is also a New Orleans Native, has worked closely alongside Councilmember Nguyen and the District “E” staff said the company had offers from many states and municipalities throughout the region for locating the plant in their areas, but due to enormous support received from Councilwoman Nguyen to locate in New Orleans East that the location became an obvious choice.
Iriapak is under contract to purchase an abandoned warehouse located at 4120 Poche Court West in the New Orleans Regional Business Park, a building that has been damaged and vacant since the tornado.
Iriapak is investing more than $7,000,000 in District ‘E,’ and this project will create 25 quality jobs in the district with an estimated payroll of $925,000 (exceeding the minimum five jobs and $225,000 payroll thresholds required for an ITE). They are expected to begin construction in late February or early March 2020.