Shreveport Approves Data Center Project with Focus on Jobs and Revenue
December 20, 2025
The Shreveport City Council has unanimously approved a significant data center development, a move local officials and economic advocates hail as a pivotal step toward revitalizing the city's economy. The decision underscores a growing trend of regional cities competing for data center investments, which are prized for their potential to generate substantial, long-term tax revenue and create high-tech employment opportunities without the heavy infrastructure demands of traditional industry.
Following what supporters described as a hard-fought approval process, the council voted to move forward with the project. Key backers, including Mayor Tom Arceneaux, immediately outlined the expected financial benefits. The development is projected to contribute a 1% local sales tax, with estimates suggesting it will generate approximately $20 million for local tax coffers over the next three years. Mayor Arceneaux emphasized the value of the private investment, noting, "There will be millions of dollars of additional revenue for water and sewer, and there are no local dollars being contributed for this investment."
Beyond immediate revenue, project advocates highlighted a critical alignment with local workforce development. Justyn Dixon of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) framed the data center as a vital solution for retaining homegrown talent. He pointed to graduates from institutions like Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA), Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC), and area technical schools, stating they need local opportunities to build careers and fuel the city's growth. "We need to take it upon ourselves to give them that opportunity," Dixon urged council members prior to the vote, arguing for the project's role in providing living-wage jobs.
The approval signals Shreveport's strategic entry into the competitive data center market, aiming to diversify its economic base and stem the outflow of skilled graduates. While specific construction timelines have not been disclosed by the developers, the project's passage marks a concrete commitment to leveraging digital infrastructure for regional economic development. The anticipated infusion of tax revenue and the focus on creating a pipeline for local tech employment are now central to the city's growth narrative.
Source: ksla
Shreveport Greenlights Major Data Center Project, Eyes Economic Revitalization
