(The Center Square) – Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s approach of aligning state agencies with the private sector to attract business has produced a $12 billion investment in northwest Louisiana, promising significant economic revitalization.
State economic officials and lawmakers joined forces under Landry’s administration to court large-scale commercial projects to expand the state’s industrial base. Landry took office in 2024. Regulatory changes from the Statehouse, combined with tax incentive initiatives, gave Louisiana a competitive edge, culminating in Monday’s announcement.
Corporate giants and state agencies gathered in Shreveport to announce Amazon’s intention to build data center campuses in Caddo and Bossier parishes. Until Monday, local leaders had been reluctant to share specific details, leaving the public speculating and growing increasingly concerned about potential resource damage and higher utility costs.
It is being hailed as the largest single investment in north Louisiana, bringing construction jobs, high-tech careers, increased tax revenue and infrastructure improvements. Construction, long-term operations and related ripple effects are projected to generate 6,200 new jobs and contribute $4.6 billion to the state’s overall economic activity.
Landry said the state has secured almost $100 billion in capital investments in two years.
“The leadership and partnership y’all helped us with made this day an absolute reality, and that’s what teamwork looks like,” he said.
Landry and others moved quickly to reassure the public that data centers would not drive up utility rates. Amazon agreed to cover the costs of necessary upgrades to water and electricity infrastructure.
“This is not going to cost the people of Louisiana,” Landry said.
In recent weeks, a member of the Caddo Parish Commission and the mayor of Mooringsport raised concerns about potential ecological damage to Caddo Lake from large-scale water withdrawals. They’ve asked for an environmental study to prove it won’t harm the lake.
Company technology is reducing water usage and will not impact Louisiana rate payers, said Roger Wehner, Amazon vice president of economic development. Its direct evaporative cooling uses water only about 13% of the year during hot weather, and relies on outside air for the rest of the year, according to an Amazon document.
“Here’s what’s important for families and small businesses: Amazon will pay 100% of its own electricity cost, including all facilities and system upgrades,” said Brett Mattison, president of Southwestern Electric Power Company. “Those costs will not be borne by residential and small customers.”
The United States is racing to maintain its artificial intelligence advantage over China and other rivals. AI companies like Nvidia and OpenAI require massive computing power, which data centers deliver. Their digital infrastructure also runs cloud computing, government systems and financial institutions.
“This project is so significant because it positions north Louisiana to be at the center of something that is shaping the global economy,” Landry said. “I heard again and again that the United States must win the AI race. Louisiana is making sure that the U.S. is going to win.”
Wehner said construction on the centers is beginning “imminently.” Job listings are expected to start Tuesday.
