Save My Louisiana leads protest against Applied Digital data center
Save My Louisiana organized a protest against Applied Digital's Delta Forge 1 data center in Boyce, Louisiana. Protestors raised concerns about non-disclosure agreements, potential utility cost increases, and environmental effects. Applied Digital countered that its proprietary liquid-cooled design will use minimal water.
Residents of Boyce, Louisiana, led by the group Save My Louisiana, staged a protest on Saturday, July 18, against a new data center project by Applied Digital. The demonstration highlighted community concerns regarding non-disclosure agreements reportedly signed by local officials, potential increases in utility costs, and the environmental impact of the facility.
Protestors also questioned the economic benefits of the project for Central Louisiana, suggesting that the primary beneficiaries would be the company itself rather than the local community. The data center, named Delta Forge 1, is a $3.6 billion artificial intelligence facility that Applied Digital, a Dallas-based digital infrastructure company, began constructing in January near James Road and La. 121. It is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
Applied Digital has addressed some of these concerns, with board director Richard Nottenburg stating that Delta Forge 1 is not a traditional data center. Company president and co-founder Jason Zhang emphasized their transition to liquid-cooled designs, noting, "Our design is a proprietary design that allows us to use very minimal water," a critical point for communities hosting such facilities.