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John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.

He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.

John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.

John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.

He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.

 

RESILIENT Technology Park

Investing in Shreveport’s Future
 
This prospective data center project at Resilient Tech Park will bring more than just technology and infrastructure investment.
This effort will strengthen local economies, create good jobs, and deliver lasting benefits throughout Shreveport.
 
■ The project will generate billions of dollars in direct and indirect investment into Shreveport.
 
■ It will create up to 1,500 construction jobs and 150 permanent, full-time careers in the local community.
 
■ Workforce training partnerships will be established to expand local education pathways and long-term career opportunities.
 
■ The project represents a long-term investment that will fuel economic growth, strengthen communities, and create opportunity for years to come.
 
Responsible City Neighbor

In addition to meeting all City of Shreveport’s noise, lighting, and traffic regulations, the development has committed to the following community benefits
 
■ A dedicated right-of-way to enable future extension of the Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, improving roadway interconnectivity for the City.
 
■ Backed by a substantial private investment reaching into the double-digit millions, the project will fund, construct, and donate land for a new elevated water tank, strengthening Shreveport’s water infrastructure and improving systemwide pressure.
 
Cooling and Water Stewardship
 
The project is being designed for high efficiency and sustainability, incorporating advanced evaporative cooling systems that maintain optimal equipment operating conditions while reducing overall energy use.
 
■ The City of Shreveport’s existing water treatment system has approximately 75 MGD of capacity, only a fraction of which is currently being utilized. The project will operate well within this capacity while ensuring continued reliable service for residents and businesses.
 
■ The developer will fully fund all required infrastructure upgrades and offsite extensions, so there is no cost to local ratepayers.
 
■ The project will pay standard industrial water rates, generating new revenue for the City that can help fund future system improvements without increasing residential rates.
 
■ The project will meet or exceed all state and local requirements for water and wastewater system design and discharge.
 
■ The project team will continue close coordination with City and utility leaders to ensure responsible growth that supports long-term sustainability.
 
Reliable Power and Local Energy Assurance
 
■ SWEPCO is working closely with the project team and conducting detailed system studies to ensure sufficient power supply for the new facilities without affecting reliability for existing customers.
 
■ All infrastructure upgrades required to serve the project will be fully funded by the developer, ensuring no cost impact on local ratepayers.
 
■ As a large, consistent user of SWEPCO’s system, the project will improve overall grid utilization, helping SWEPCO spread fixed costs and ultimately benefit local customers.
 
■ The project will not build any onsite generation facilities; all electrical service will be provided through the existing grid.
 
■ The project will pay standard franchise fees tied to power consumption, creating an additional recurring revenue stream for the City.
 
Creating Jobs and Building Careers
 
The project will be a significant driver of local economic opportunity, supporting hundreds of jobs, expanding career pathways, and strengthening the long-term local workforce in the local community.
 
Construction Jobs: More than 1,500 onsite construction jobs are expected during the buildout phase.
 
Permanent Operations Jobs: Approximately 150 full-time positions are projected within the first five years of operations.
 
Competitive Wages: Full-time roles will offer average starting salaries in the mid-$80,000 range, plus comprehensive benefits.
 
Diverse Career Paths: Opportunities will span skilled trades, facility operations, IT, logistics, administration, and technical specialties focused on maintaining essential systems, including power distribution, cooling infrastructure, servers, and network operations.
 
Education and Training: Positions will be accessible to individuals across a wide range of educational backgrounds—from high school graduates and technical certificate holders to those with advanced degrees
—supported by targeted workforce training programs.
 
Local Hiring Commitment: The project will partner with the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) to prepare, train, and prioritize local residents for both construction and long-term operational roles.
 
Local Vendors and Suppliers: The developer will collaborate with local partners to deliver targeted training and networking events that help local and regional businesses understand upcoming procurement needs and engage directly with the project’s construction and operations leaders.

LET’S DO WATER MATH…EIGHTY (80) minus FIFTY FIVE (55) minus SEVEN.FIVE (7.5) equals -----

Public Service Commissioner Assures Electricity Rates Will Not Rise Due to the Data Center