Four data centers are rising at once in Louisiana. The early economic gains are striking.
but so is the scale of what comes next.
By Sam Barnes
1012 Industry Report
Regions of the state long known for their economic stagnation—or sluggish growth at best—are now experiencing an unprecedented surge in just about everything. All four of the state’s AI data center projects—Meta, Amazon, Delta Forge 1 and Hut 8—are under construction simultaneously, collectively representing more than $81.6 billion in investment.
Initial hype described this data facility under construction in Richland Parish as "Manhattan-sized." In reality, the site covers 2,250-plus acres, roughly one quarter the zie of the New York City borough.
Initial hype described this data facility under construction in Richland Parish as "Manhattan-sized." In reality, the site covers 2,250-plus acres, roughly one quarter the zie of the New York City borough.
Sales tax revenue numbers are among the first to tell the tale, with percentage increases in some cities and parishes reaching triple digits in year-over-year comparisons. Property values and tax revenues are expected to follow suit, along with corresponding increases in housing demand, hotel occupancies, retail revenues and a host of other data sets.
Most of the current work is taking place in the northern half of the state. “The north shall rise again,” jokes Justyn Dixon, president and CEO of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership in Shreveport.