Hut 8’s massive AI data center sparks jobs - and questions - in West Feliciana
Hut 8 is building a large artificial intelligence data center in West Feliciana Parish near St. Francisville, with billions of dollars in investment and hundreds of expected permanent jobs. Residents are generally supportive but have questions about the project's effects on electricity, water, the environment and local growth.
Construction is underway on Hut 8's large AI data center near State Route 964 and Highway 61 in West Feliciana Parish. St. Francisville resident James Doherty said the project is expected to bring hundreds of permanent jobs and that many residents support it because the relatively isolated site is away from homes.
The development has also raised questions about whether the area can accommodate its power and water needs and what environmental effects could result. Hut 8 developers say cooling water will be brought in from off site rather than drawn from the local residential aquifer. Work is expected to be completed next year.