State Farm Offers to Donate Building to La. Parish

State Farm Insurance is eliminating more than 1,000 jobs in Monroe, La., but has offered to donate its largest building to the parish’s economic development group, according to the Associated Press.

State Farm announced in February that it would eliminate a regional center in the city as part of a consolidation move.

The company now says it will give a 315,000-square foot building, along with $200,000 for maintenance, to the Ouachita Economic Development Corp., which could use it to attract new businesses.

OEDC chairman Gerald Dean said the agency would discuss the offer. State Farm has asked for a decision by Sept. 1, though that is not a hard deadline, said company spokesman Gary Stephenson.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who tried unsuccessfully to keep State Farm from moving, said she was pleased by the offer.

“I’d prefer to have the jobs remain in Monroe, but this could help us in our effort to create new jobs,” Blanco said.

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