IMPORTANT DETAILS ON PROPOSED DATA CENTER SPECIAL USE PERMIT

It is expected that the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) will approve the application for a special use permit for a data center on 254 acres in the Resilient Technology Park at its meeting today.
 
Here is some information that may not be understood by Shreveporters, including some members of the media.
 
The MPC approval does NOT automatically mean that a data center will be constructed at this location.
 
The MPC approval can be APPEALED by any private citizen to the Shreveport City Council.
 
The impact on ELECTRICITY DAMAND AND RATES is not a proper MPC decision-making factor.
 
The impact on SHREVEPORT WATER SUPPLY/LOW PRESSURE AREAS is not a proper decision-making factor for MPC.
 
The impact of CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC/WEAR AND TEAR on city roads is not a proper factor for MPC decision-making.
 
The positives for a data center in Shreveport include:
 
1. Construction jobs and sales tax revenues from construction material purchases
 
2. Limited number of high-paying jobs for the center
 
3. Bragging rights for the city
 
4. Possible ancillary businesses spawned by a data center.
 
The negatives of a Shreveport data center include:
 
a. Construction traffic and its impact on city streets
 
b. Possible increased rates for electricity
 
c. Impact on city’s water supply and low-pressure areas in the city
 
d. Widespread gold rush fever much like the META facility has created.
 
If nothing more the MPC approval of a special use permit will send nationwide message that Shreveport IS open for business. Additionally, it will give plenty of fodder for the local media to publicize and maybe supplant 50 Cent speculation on revolutionizing Shreveport.