Community members say New Orleans company owes millions on years-old improvements

NEW ORLEANS, La. (WVUE) – A watchdog group and members of the community are asking why a major New Orleans employer is asking for a tax exemption on years-old additions made to their facilities.

The watchdog group Together New Orleans says Folgers Coffee Company, with two locations in New Orleans East, should owe the city millions in taxes on additions at their plants dating back to 2017.

It has people like Shawn Anglim, who helped create Morris Jeff Community School, concerned for the entities that could be receiving much-needed tax money during a pandemic.

“We are not really asking for much we’re asking for Folgers to follow the law,” Anglim said.

The law Anglim mentioned, requires businesses like Folgers to pay taxes on personal property, machinery, equipment and merchandise.

Starting in 2017, state records show Folgers made several investments at a facility in New Orleans.

“They file these advance notices which gives advance notice to the government that they’re going to be spending this money,” Joel Waltzer, an attorney and volunteer for the watchdog group Together New Orleans, said. “It’s kind of a corporate confession that we’re about ready to add to the value to our property.”