Central Louisiana lands $3.6B data center

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and state economic development officials announced Tuesday that Applied Digital is set to develop a significant $3.6 billion artificial intelligence data center campus in Rapides Parish. The project, named Delta Forge 1, will be located near Boyce and is designed for large-scale AI training and computing, initially featuring two facilities with a combined 300 megawatts of critical IT load across approximately 300 acres.

Officials stated the total investment, including a hyperscale tenant's contributions, is projected at $7.2 billion. This development is expected to create 418 jobs, including 218 direct positions, with an annual payroll of $32.67 million, alongside employing about 1,500 construction workers at peak. Land development began in January, with initial operations slated for mid-2027 and phased construction continuing through 2028.

The data center is anticipated to generate substantial tax revenue, with Rapides Parish government projected to receive $77 million, the Rapides Parish School System about $7.6 million annually, and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office approximately $3.3 million annually over 27 years. Both Applied Digital and Cleco, the electricity provider, proactively addressed community concerns. Applied Digital emphasized a closed-loop water cooling system, limiting water usage to general facility needs, while Cleco confirmed the project will cover the full cost of necessary power infrastructure, potentially improving grid reliability and reducing costs for existing customers.