NEW ORLEANS, La. — North Louisiana’s $18 billion Amazon Web Services data-center investment was highlighted before economic development professionals from around the world last week as regional leaders shared how the massive project was landed.
North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon participated in a panel titled “The Deal Room: Landing the Big One – Louisiana’s Data Centers” during the International Economic Development Council Annual Conference in New Orleans.
The discussion focused on the collaboration and strategy behind attracting major data-center investments to Louisiana, including AWS’ historic investment in Northwest Louisiana.
Amazon increased its planned investment in three Northwest Louisiana data-center campuses to $18 billion earlier this year, with development spanning Caddo and Bossier parishes and Shreveport.
The investment represents one of the largest private economic-development projects in Louisiana history and is expected to generate hundreds of permanent jobs along with substantial construction activity and opportunities for local contractors and suppliers.
Dixon and NLEP have been involved in the project alongside state and local governments, Louisiana Economic Development, utility providers and other regional partners.
“An $18 billion commitment puts into perspective the scale of what is taking shape in Northwest Louisiana,” Dixon said when the expanded investment was announced. “The jobs, construction activity and opportunities for local companies will reach well beyond these three campuses.”
The IEDC Annual Conference was held Oct. 25-28 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans and brought together economic development professionals and industry leaders to discuss issues including artificial intelligence, global competitiveness, infrastructure, workforce development and economic growth.
IEDC describes its annual conference as the world’s largest gathering of economic developers.
The conference also provided another national spotlight for North Louisiana.
NLEP received a 2026 Bronze Award for Excellence in Economic Development for its EMPWR LA workforce development program in the Postsecondary Education Partnership category.
EMPWR LA, which stands for Employment Preparedness and Workforce Readiness, is designed to prepare North Louisiana residents for careers in manufacturing through partnerships involving employers and educational institutions.
NLEP said the recognition reflects the work of education and industry partners helping build the region’s manufacturing workforce.
The organization has developed EMPWR LA in cooperation with area community colleges and employers. The six-week industrial training program provides participants with basic industrial skills and industry certifications. More than 30 companies have signed agreements guaranteeing interviews to program graduates.
NLEP said it has achieved 100% placement in the program’s three most recent classes.
The conference appearances come as Northwest Louisiana begins experiencing measurable economic effects from the data-center construction boom.
Amazon and STACK Infrastructure are developing three campuses across the region. Construction activity has begun contributing to local sales-tax collections, while local governments are preparing for additional infrastructure, permitting and workforce demands associated with the projects.
NLEP said the conference provided an opportunity to showcase both the region’s economic-development accomplishments and future opportunities before a national and international audience.