By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

CONVENT – The St. James Parish Council has approved another round of revenue bonds to go toward an expansion project at a west bank tank farm.

The council unanimously approved the parish’s pursuit of an additional $100 million in state revenue bonds to finance the expansion project at the NuStar Logistics facility in the community of St. James. The company is looking to add 11 more storage tanks for crude oil, fuel and feedstock, as well as construct related dikes and piping to link the facility to the company’s Mississippi River terminal.

St. James Parish President Dale Hymel said the parish has already approved the sale of $160 million in Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds for construction of seven of the 11 new tanks. He said the parish received that money in January, and construction on those tanks began in May. The entire expansion is set for completion in about eight months, Hymel said.

Once the project is complete, Hymel said the expansion would increase the tank farm’s capacity by more than 63 percent.

St. James Parish Bond Attorney Hugh Martin said revenue bonds are a method for encouraging industry development in the parish. Hymel said the parish is enjoying a 12 percent increase in sales tax revenue due to business transactions at the facility.

According to a release from NuStar, the expansion will create about 275 temporary jobs and 14 permanent positions.

It will also increase the tank farm’s capacity by more than 3 million barrels.

In other action, the council also gave preliminary approval for the issuance of a $2.6 million loan for various infrastructure improvements at the Lutcher library. Hymel said the parish would borrow the money against the parish’s general fund and library fund.

The council approved authorization to go out for bids for drainage pipe needed for parish drainage improvements.

Hymel said the parish budgeted $50,000 for culverts parish wide.