Shreveport council approves data center after hours of public testimony; developers to sign water and sewer agreement

The Shreveport City Council on Dec. 9 unanimously approved a special-use permit and site plan for a proposed data center in West Shreveport following hours of public comment that split residents and business leaders.

Mayor Arsenault and economic-development supporters described the project as a multibillion-dollar private investment that would bring hundreds of construction jobs and roughly 150–200 permanent high-skilled positions, along with additional sales- and property-tax revenue and utility income. The council voted 7–0 to overturn a denial by the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) and approve the applicant’s permit after debate and public testimony.

Why it matters: Council members and backers said the project offers a rare opportunity to strengthen the city’s tax base and infrastructure without using city capital. Opponents said the location—adjacent to Greenwood Acres and Deer Creek neighborhoods—raises unresolved public-safety, traffic, water-supply and health concerns and faulted the process for lack of transparency and reliance on nondisclosure agreements…