Renowned economist Dr. Loren Scott presented his economic forecast for the local Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)--Caddo, Bossier and Desoto parishes--on Friday at the Port. This is the state's fourth largest MSA.
Here is a summary:
Dr. Scott said this area is poised for a new data center. He cites the Haynesville Shale, Fibrebond, Module X, SLB and Gordon Inc. as a critical mass of companies to support a data center.
The Haynesville Shale is due for a resurgence due to demand for natural gas for the LNG facilities in south Louisiana. Additionally, the new Meta Data Center in Richland Parish will add to gas needs.
Scott predicted that this MSA will add 2700 jobs in 2026 and 3000 in 2027. This would be the fifth largest growth rate among the State's 10 MSAs.
The Amazon Fulfillment Center was initially to cost $200 million and employ 1300. The total cost of the project, which is the most technologically advanced site, was $1 billion and it now employs 2200.
SLB spent an estimated $18.5 million to renovate the old GM site. The initial employment was 400 and now it has 800 employees.
The Cyber Research Park employment has risen from 1854 in 2024 to 2102 this year. The Park received $40 million in appropriations this year , up from $18.8 million in 2024.
The Port of Caddo-Bossier has 2047 people working at the various companies with a projected growth to 2189 by 2027.
Barksdale Air Force Base has 9083 people working at the base--2608 military and 6475 civilians. The new $210 million weapons generation facility should be completed after the first of the year adding over 100 new jobs.
In 2026 a pharmaceutical manufacturing firm recruited by BRF will open in the InterTech Park with 50 new jobs.
The new SkyWest maintenance, repair and overhaul facility should open by year end at the Shreveport Regional Airport with 150 new jobs.
Ochsner LSU Health will be spending $43 million in 2026 at its academic medical center and at St. Mary's Hospital adding 67 new permanent jobs.
Live! Casino grew the region's gaming market with a net of $11 million in Adjusted Gross Revenue in just five months of operation in FY25.
Over 2026-27 the Shreveport-Bossier MSA will pick up $190.9 million in new state road lettings for the Kansas City Railroad US371 overpass, the Market Street Bridge replacement and the Cross Bayou Bridge replacement.
In past years Dr. Scott's forecasts have proven to be conservative in the estimates of investment and job creation. Hopefully this will be true locally in 2026-27.