BENTON, La. — The Bossier Parish Police Jury approved plans tied to a large-scale data center development near Benton during its regular meeting Wednesday, advancing a project expected to anchor a future technology campus in the region.
The vote clears the way for development on more than 1,000 acres along Louisiana Highway 3 as part of the proposed Highway 3 Technology Park. The site is expected to support a future campus for Amazon Web Services.
The decision followed a public hearing that lasted more than two hours and drew a large turnout of residents. Speakers voiced a range of opinions, with some citing potential economic growth and job creation, while others raised concerns about transparency and long-term community impacts.
Questions focused on water usage, environmental considerations, noise, infrastructure demands and how information about the project was initially communicated.
Representatives from STACK Infrastructure and project partners addressed those concerns during the meeting, providing details on the development and responding to questions from both jurors and residents.
Plans call for a 1.3 million-square-foot campus designed to support large-scale cloud computing operations, along with supporting infrastructure including substations, water systems and drainage improvements.
Water usage emerged as a key topic. Project representatives said the facility is expected to use about 57 million gallons of water annually, which they described as efficient for a project of this size. Under an agreement with the city, Bossier City can supply up to 13.5 million gallons of water per day, though actual usage is expected to be significantly lower. Developers will fund construction of pipelines to deliver water to the site.
Officials said wastewater will be managed through multiple systems. Industrial water used in cooling will be treated on-site before discharge in accordance with environmental regulations, while certain cooling fluids will be transported off-site for treatment. Domestic wastewater will be handled by the Town of Benton.
Energy demand was also addressed. Representatives from Southwestern Electric Power Company said the project will not increase electricity rates for local customers.
“We are all committed to ensuring that our ratepayers do not feel the impacts from any development from the data centers,” said Amanda Nottingham, SWEPCO’s vice president of external affairs.
Companies involved in the project will fund any additional transmission lines, substations or infrastructure required to support the facility. Officials said existing capacity planning and ongoing grid improvements position the region to accommodate the development.
Developers estimate the project will generate about 500 construction jobs at peak and approximately 270 permanent positions once operational, with wages expected to exceed the state average.
The Benton site is part of a broader multi-billion-dollar regional investment that local officials have described as a significant economic opportunity for Northwest Louisiana.
Police jurors acknowledged public concerns but expressed confidence in the project’s long-term benefits. Some residents said they felt more informed following the meeting but emphasized the need for continued transparency as development progresses.
With approval of the final plat, the project moves closer to construction, which could begin in the coming weeks. Parish leaders said public input will remain part of the process as the project advances.
Stacey Tinsley of the Bossier Press-Tribune contributed to this report.