St. James Parish President Timothy Roussel, who was in the nation’s capital last week as part of a lobbying effort, said news of the St. James Parish Council’s stance concerning Wolverine Terminals Sept. 17 didn’t take long to reach him or others in Washington.

Council members voted 6-1 to deny a variance for Wolverine that would clear the way for the construction of a crude oil terminal and blending operation on a 15-acre Mississippi River site in Paulina.

Roussel said the decision and the reports of it made waves, because it was only May 2013 when a release from Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office trumpeted the announcement, co-headlined with Wolverine Terminals General Manager Terry Wilson, saying a $30 million capital investment was planned, which would create 20 direct jobs and result in 18 new, indirect jobs.

In addition, the project would create an estimated 100 construction jobs.

It did not happen that way, and Roussel was quick to point out last week that a done deal was never reached.

In an effort to set a plan for controlled, positive economic growth, St. James Parish instituted a land use ordinance, which designated the Paulina site as mixed residential/commercial.

Roussel said parish leaders approached Wolverine months ago to direct the company towards a location that conformed with the parish’s land-use plan.

“We were willing to work with them as hard as we could to try and locate them and even incentivize (a location) if we could,” he told L’OBSERVATEUR Thursday. “I guess they didn’t take us up on it.”

Wolverine never did, and last week’s vote shouldn’t have surprised those following the process.

The opinions and desires of St. James Parish residents, along with the forethought of local government leaders, were used to craft the parish’s land-use plan. Parish Council members were correct to stand by it in their vote last week.

Roussel said he does not envision a negative backlash from the vote despite Wilson’s assertion no other location in St. James Parish will suit Wolverine’s needs, possibly meaning the project will be taken out of state.

“I would sure like to think that this is not a negative message to other manufactures that are looking to locate in St. James Parish that are willing to locate in a conformity area,” Roussel said. “I think this should show positive for those wanting to locate in the right place.”

He’s right. Not all business is good business, but good business done right is a benefit to all.