KEY TAKEAWAYS: Amazon is adding $6 billion to its northwest Louisiana data center investment, raising the total to $18 billion. A third data center campus at Shreveport’s Resilient Technology Park is expected to create 210 direct jobs. Across three campuses, Amazon is expected to support up to 750 direct jobs and 1,784 indirect jobs. Amazon plans to invest up to $400 million in public water infrastructure and fund energy upgrades needed for the projects.   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 will be developed at Resilient Technology Park and is expected to create 210 direct jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the expansion could generate another 499 indirect jobs, bringing the new phase’s potential employment impact to 709 jobs. Across all three campuses, Amazon is expected to support up to 750 direct jobs, while LED estimates the projects could generate another 1,784 indirect jobs. The expansion comes less than six months after Amazon announced an initial $12 billion investment in February. The addition of the Shreveport site expands the company’s data center development across Caddo and Bossier parishes. The facilities are part of Amazon’s broader investment in infrastructure to support its cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations. “Amazon’s decision to increase its investment in Louisiana so quickly sends a clear message about what they have experienced here,” Gov. Jeff 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 came to our state with an ambitious vision, and Louisiana has shown we can deliver at the scale and speed that vision demands.” Amazon will continue working with STACK Infrastructure, which is developing and owns the campuses. STACK estimates construction of the projects could support as many as 2,250 jobs, providing opportunities for contractors, skilled trades workers and suppliers. The company also plans workforce development programs with local educational institutions, technical colleges and community organizations. Jobs associated with the developments include electricians, HVAC technicians, project engineers, network specialists, operations managers and security specialists. Amazon said it plans to invest up to $400 million in public water infrastructure to serve the three campuses. The company said it will pay for water and wastewater improvements required for the developments and has coordinated with local utilities to ensure adequate capacity for existing customers. The company is also working with Southwestern Electric Power Co., or SWEPCO, to fund new energy infrastructure and grid upgrades needed for the data centers. Amazon said the arrangement is intended to prevent those infrastructure costs from being passed along to existing utility customers. The campuses 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 northwest Louisiana. The expansion comes as Louisiana seeks to attract large-scale artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure projects while addressing their effects on utility customers and natural resources. In June, Landry established the Louisiana Ratepayer and Community Protection Initiative, a framework for data center development that addresses energy infrastructure, workforce and resource needs. Amazon has also awarded nearly $500,000 to 46 nonprofits, schools and community members through its Northwest Louisiana Community Fund since announcing its initial data center investment in February. The grants have supported programs involving food assistance, housing, robotics and education. The data center development adds to Amazon’s existing Louisiana operations. The company said it has invested more than $6 billion in the state since 2010, with a footprint that includes fulfillment and sortation centers, delivery stations, Whole Foods Market locations and solar energy projects. Amazon is participating in Louisiana’s Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption for the project. ...read more read less