This audio is automatically generated. Please let us know if you have any comments.
Dive Brief:
- Amazon plans to build one $12 billion multisite data center campus in Caddo and Bossier parishes in Louisiana, according to a company press release.
- The investment marks Amazon’s first data center footprint in Louisiana, and is expected to do so start in the coming weeksaccording to a Louisiana economic development release.
- Amazon’s intention to build in Louisiana marks a trend as several other major builders have begun multibillion-dollar data center projects in the state for high-profile clients.
Diving knowledge:
The announcement comes as data center planning held strong to start the year.
For example, Dallas-based Jacobs recently began the first phase of a $10 billion Hut 8 data center in West Feliciana Parish. Hut 8, a Miami-based energy infrastructure company, expects the facility to begin operations in the second quarter of 2027.
Elsewhere, about 150 miles south of this site, New York City-based Turner, Redwood City, Calif., and Minneapolis-based Mortenson will be built. Meta’s $10 billion data center near Monroe. According to the company, the project is Meta’s largest investment to date in its artificial intelligence portfolio.
As for Amazon’s plan, construction will encompass interconnected campuses in both Caddo and Bossier parishes. This multi-campus design supports continuous services and reliable operations, while encouraging investment in both parishes, according to Louisiana Economic Development.
“It represents more than just a major economic win,” said Justyn Dixon, president and CEO of the North Louisiana Economic Association. “By spanning both sides of the Red River, this project literally brings our communities together and ensures opportunity flows throughout the region.”
The investment also includes $400 million for local water infrastructures and a $250,000 community fund to support STEM education and local projects in the region, according to Amazon.
The facility will only use verified surplus water, which is water in excess of what the community requires for current needs. According to the technology company, this will ensure that there is no pressure on the local water supply.
“Amazon’s $12 billion investment in Northwest Louisiana will build next-generation data center campuses to support artificial intelligence and cloud computing, ensuring opportunities for local communities,” David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and chief legal officer, said in the statement. “We’re creating hundreds of good-paying jobs and making substantial investments in local infrastructure.”
Amazon will partner with Denver-based STACK Infrastructure, the developer and owner of the campuses, to lead the construction and development of the data center project. It will also work with the local utility, Southwestern Electric Power Company, to ensure that the utility pays 100 percent of the costs of the new energy infrastructure, according to the Louisiana Economic Development release.
