Bell to repay state $9.5M

Bell Helicopters, which operated an assembly facility next to Lafayette Regional Airport, has agreed to pay the state some $9.5 million over its failure to meet job-creation goals. The state’s Economic Development Agency cut ties with Bell in 2017. The state had given the company tax credits to open the Lafayette facility in a deal originally announced in 2013, but it depended on Bell attaining certain employment goals, which it failed to do. The company moved its operations to Texas. Swiss Helicopter Company Kopter Group AG is moving into the location. (Source: KADN, 06/21/19) Gulf Coast note: Lafayette is two hours west of New Orleans along Interstate 10.