AI project coming to Central Louisiana to create high paying jobs
Applied Digital is investing $3.6 billion to construct a large-scale artificial intelligence data center near Boyce in Central Louisiana, creating 200 full-time jobs and 1,000 temporary construction jobs. This project, named Delta Forge 1, is expected to be completed by mid-2027 and will significantly boost the local economy and provide high-paying tech jobs.
Applied Digital, a Dallas-based digital infrastructure company, is making a significant investment of $3.6 billion to build an artificial intelligence data center in Central Louisiana. This initiative, announced by Gov. Jeff Landry at a news conference in Alexandria, is projected to create 200 high-paying full-time jobs with an average annual salary of approximately $90,000, along with an estimated 1,000 temporary construction jobs and 218 indirect jobs.
The project, known as Delta Forge 1, broke ground in January near Boyce and is anticipated to be operational by mid-2027. It will span approximately 300 acres and include two facilities with an initial critical IT load of 300 megawatts. Gov. Landry emphasized the transformative economic impact on Rapides Parish and Central Louisiana, highlighting that the new jobs offer salaries 150 percent above the state's average.
Applied Digital plans to collaborate with local universities to establish a talent pipeline, ensuring graduates have opportunities within the state. Richard Nottenburg, an Applied Digital board director, stressed the importance of U.S. leadership in AI for national security and the company's commitment to community partnership, citing over $500 million in direct benefits to Rapides Parish schools and the parish itself over the next 15 years. Cleco will provide power to the campus, with Applied Digital covering the costs to prevent burdening Louisiana consumers. The facility will utilize Applied Digital’s proprietary closed-loop water cooling technology, minimizing water usage for its high-density AI computing environment.