Concordia Parish considers smart growth summit as Vidalia data center and solar farm plans advance
Concordia Parish officials are considering a smart growth summit as a proposed data center in Vidalia and NextEra Energy Resources' 2,000-acre Bullitt Bend Solar project near Ferriday advance. Vidalia approved land-use permits for the data center in late September, while the parish recently extended the solar project's permit.
Concordia Parish officials are considering attending the 2026 Louisiana Smart Growth Summit to prepare for new industrial development, including a proposed data center in Vidalia and the Bullitt Bend Solar project near Ferriday. Police Jury President Cornell Lewis said the summit could help local governments evaluate community benefits, tax incentives and agreements associated with the projects.
The Town of Vidalia approved land-use permits in late September for a data center at the former Fruit of the Loom site and 208 surrounding acres. The Concordia Parish Police Jury also extended the land-use permit for NextEra Energy Resources' 200-megawatt, 2,000-acre solar project, which is expected to begin operating in 2029. The parish separately accepted a proposal for FEMA-funded backup generators for critical public facilities.