Financial incentive programs for major infrastructure investments are commonplace throughout the nation, and they have been for many years.
There are several types of incentives, including financial grants, workforce training programs, Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) districts, Industrial Tax Exemption Programs (ITEP), and PILOTs (payment in lieu of taxes). Many of these incentives are packaged to attract these business investments.
Here are some examples:
The Shreveport Amazon Fulfillment Center received a $5 million state performance grant, a PILOT, a TIF, and workforce training assistance.
Shreveport Protec GE expansion received workforce training, a $500,000 state performance grant, an ITEP, and Quality Job Program cash rebates.
SLB’s Shreveport expansion will receive workforce training, a state performance grant, a PILOT, and Quality Job Program incentives.
The proposed data center for Shreveport will qualify for a PILOT. There will probably be other state incentives granted like those listed above. These incentives are the NORM for job capital investment and job recruitment, both short term and long term, in Louisiana and much of the nation.
Bottomline, those opposing the data center in Shreveport cannot logically argue against it because of the proposed PILOT. The same is true for the false arguments made about noise, air pollution, increased electricity rates, and water supply. But then logic is not a factor for many misguided zealots.