Amazon’s planned data center spending in northwest Louisiana reached $18 billion

Amazon plans $18 billion of data center campuses in northwest Louisiana, after adding $6 billion in August to the $12 billion it announced in February ^[1]. STACK Infrastructure is developing and will own the three campuses, Amazon Web Services is the customer, and the first building is targeted to start operating in summer 2027 ^[2].

On Oct. 2, Amazon Web Services, led by CEO Matt Garman, announced another $1 billion over five years for communities where Amazon builds data centers, to pay for education, job training, energy affordability and water projects ^[3].

The Louisiana campuses promise up to 750 permanent jobs

Louisiana Economic Development counts up to 750 direct jobs across the three campuses, an estimated 1,784 indirect jobs and up to 2,250 construction jobs ^[1]. By our math, Amazon’s plan works out to about $24 million of investment for each permanent direct job.

Amazon also committed up to $400 million for public water infrastructure, and Keith Klein, its director of data center supply solutions, said “Amazon pays its own way” ^[1]. The campuses sit in Bossier Parish, Caddo Parish and Shreveport’s Resilient Technology Park, and the Shreveport campus was weeks from groundbreaking as of mid-October ^[1][2].

Local votes are deciding where data centers get built

In DeSoto County, Florida, commissioners split 2-2 on Oct. 27 on a 238-acre rezoning for DCIP Group, so the application failed ^[4]. DCIP wants about 826 acres near Arcadia for natural gas-powered data centers, the county approved an initial 34 acres in March, and a vote on a second, larger application was scheduled for the following day ^[4].

CBS News, citing local opposition groups, reported that at least 45 data center developments worth $68 billion in 27 states have been stopped ^[3].

How to use this

For landowners near power lines and water

1. Ask any data center buyer for deposits that become non-refundable at each rezoning hearing. DCIP Group won approval for 34 acres and then lost a vote on 238 more ^[4], so a sale tied to rezoning should pay you for the months your land is off the market.
2. Find out in writing who pays for water and power upgrades before you sign. Amazon committed up to $400 million for public water work in Louisiana ^[1], and a buyer that will not say who pays for those upgrades is a weaker counterparty at a public hearing.

For landlords and builders near Shreveport and Bossier City

1. Plan for construction workers before permanent staff. STACK projects up to 2,250 construction jobs against up to 750 permanent ones ^[1], so furnished rentals and extended-stay units could see demand first.
2. Ask the parish economic development offices for each campus’s construction schedule, since the first building targets summer 2027 ^[2], and check The Portal’s Louisiana page for permits and rents.

For contractors and local businesses

1. Apply for the community money directly. AWS’s new $1 billion over five years covers job training, energy affordability and water projects ^[3], and we calculate that it averages $200 million a year across every community where Amazon builds.
2. Register with STACK and the North Louisiana Economic Partnership as a local supplier before the Shreveport groundbreaking ^[1][2].