WILL SHREVEPORT LOSE DATA CENTER TO NORTH BOSSIER

It’s not the old adage that “if you build it they will come.” Now it's “they will build it somewhere near you.” I am referring to the ever growing spread of data centers.
 
Seemingly northwest Louisiana is a prime area for a new data center. And if not here, across the state in Texas.
 
Now speculation is that a data center may be constructed in north Bossier. Here are the known facts:
 
1.  A 1000 acre north Bossier property has just been rezoned for industrial use, which allows for construction of a data center. The site is north of Benton proper, between LA 3 and Old Plain Dealing Road.
 
2.  The site application was submitted by the same Mathias Haubert, an engineer for Bohler Engineering, who is representing the Shreveport special use permit application for Resilient Technology Park.
 
3.  The preliminary site plans submitted to the Benton Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission mirror the initial plans for the Shreveport special use permit application.
 
4.  On Tuesday of this week the Bossier City Council voted to advance an ordinance authorizing Bossie Mayor Tommy Chandler to enter into an agreement to supply 1.8 to 13.5 million gallons of water per day to an unspecified property owner. (This is comparable to data center usage rates)
 
5.  Numerous officials have signed non-disclosure agreements much like those in Shreveport.
 
Obviously this development should expedite the appeal of the Shreveport MPC’s decision to the Shreveport City Council The vote yesterday was a 4-4 tie, which in effect denied the requested special use permit. How soon the Council will act on the expected appeal is uncertain at this time.
 
It’s a fact that data centers are coming. It's not “if”, but when and where. And those wanting to construct these centers will not dilly dally around when local politics hinder expansion plans. Alternative venues are certainly available, as evidenced by the prospect of a center in Bossier Parish.