-- Joint Effort by CLEDA and Louisiana Economic Development Successful  in Creating New Jobs in Central Louisiana --

Officials with Procter & Gamble say they are shifting its powdered-detergent operations from Augusta Georgia to its Pineville Louisiana facility.

Company officials say the move will result in about 160 job losses in the Augusta area over the next 12 to 18 months. The officials say many of those employees will be offered jobs at other company locations in the U.S.

The company is consolidating the detergent-powder operations to the plant in Pineville, which will add about 50 jobs. The plant already makes liquid detergent.

"This is an exciting win for Central Louisiana and our state," said Gov. Bobby Jindal in a statement late today. "P&G decided to reinvest in Louisiana because of our strong business climate, unparalleled quality of life and most importantly, our outstanding workforce."

"P&G is a great company and a great corporate citizen in Central Louisiana," said Jim Clinton, President and CEO of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. "The productivity of the workforce at the Pineville plant has created another opportunity to expand the company's footprint here. We are deeply grateful for this decision and for P&G's continued growth in our region."

In March, P&G completed a $100 million expansion at its Pineville facility to enable the plant and the company to deliver one of its newest products, Tide Pods, which launched in February. The Pineville site, which opened in 1969, covers nearly 1 million square feet in building space on 112 acres.

To secure the expansion, Louisiana offered P&G a performance-based grant of $3.4 million to offset a portion of the costs for new training facilities, infrastructure and equipment, as well as use of the state's Retention and Modernization Program, Jindal's office said. The company also is expected to make use of the state's Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs. In addition, P&G will receive a customized workforce solution from LED FastStart to create a customized workforce recruitment program, applicant screening and training development.