SHREVEPORT, La. — Amazon plans to invest an additional $6 billion in its Northwest Louisiana data center development, raising its total planned investment in the region to $18 billion and adding a third campus in Shreveport.
The new campus is planned for Resilient Technology Park and will expand Amazon’s data center development across Caddo and Bossier parishes. The announcement comes less than six months after the company unveiled an initial $12 billion investment in February.
The additional investment is expected to create 210 direct jobs, according to Louisiana Economic Development. The agency estimates the expansion will also support 499 indirect jobs, for 709 potential new job opportunities associated with the latest phase.
Across all three campuses, Amazon is expected to support as many as 750 direct jobs. LED estimates the overall project could result in another 1,784 indirect jobs.
Amazon will continue working with STACK Infrastructure, which is developing and will own the campuses. STACK estimates construction of the project will support as many as 2,250 jobs, including opportunities for contractors, skilled trades and suppliers.
“When we announced our investment in northwest Louisiana earlier this year, we made a promise: Amazon pays its own way, and the communities where we operate will be better off because we’re there,” said Keith Klein, Amazon director of data center supply solutions. “Increasing our planned investment to $18 billion means more good jobs for the region and more opportunities for local businesses. We’re continuing to protect ratepayers and strengthening this community for the long term.”
Amazon plans to establish workforce development programs with educational institutions, technical colleges and community organizations. Jobs supported by the development are expected to include electricians, HVAC technicians, project engineers, network specialists, operations managers and security specialists.
The company also plans to spend up to $400 million on public water infrastructure supporting the three campuses. Amazon said it will fund water and wastewater improvements required for the projects.
The data centers are being designed to rely primarily on air cooling, with water used for cooling when temperatures exceed about 85 degrees. Amazon estimates those conditions occur less than 13% of the year in the region.
Amazon is also working with Southwestern Electric Power Co. to fund energy infrastructure and electric grid upgrades needed to serve the data centers. The company and state officials said the costs associated with serving the facilities are intended to be borne by the development rather than existing utility customers.
“Our customers come first, and our commitment remains the same: growth should pay for growth,” SWEPCO President and Chief Operating Officer Brett Mattison said. “We’re ready to serve and ready to deliver the reliable energy our communities need to support new investment while protecting existing customers from the costs of that growth.”
The projects come as Louisiana develops policies governing large-scale data center investments. Gov. Jeff Landry established the Louisiana Ratepayer and Community Protection Initiative in June, a framework addressing electric infrastructure, ratepayer protections, workforce needs and natural resources associated with data center development.
For the overall project, Amazon is participating in Louisiana’s Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption.
Amazon said it has awarded nearly $500,000 through its Northwest Louisiana Community Fund since announcing the initial data center investment in February. The funding has gone to 46 nonprofits, schools and community members for projects including food assistance, transitional housing, robotics and education programs.
“Amazon’s decision to increase its investment in Louisiana so quickly sends a clear message about what they have experienced here,” Landry said. “When one of the world’s largest companies chooses to deepen its commitment this early, it demonstrates confidence in our workers, our business environment and our ability to execute.”
Amazon said it has invested more than $6 billion in Louisiana since 2010 outside of the newly planned data center investment. Its existing operations in the state include fulfillment and sortation centers, delivery stations, Whole Foods Market locations and solar energy projects.