Officials in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, have unanimously approved the construction of a multi-billion dollar artificial intelligence data centre located off La. 964. This decision came during a planning and rezoning meeting held on Monday evening. Parish President Kenny Havard underscored the significance of large commercial developments, which he believes are essential for the parish's economic sustainability. Speaking to WBRZ News 2, Havard stated, "We don't want to get ourselves in a situation where we're relying on rooftops. So this allows us to support all of our infrastructure."
The ambitious project will comprise the construction of two substantial buildings, each spanning 450,000 square feet. Upon completion of the first phase, at least 100 permanent jobs are expected to be created, marking a considerable economic uplift for the region. However, the meeting revealed concerns from local residents regarding traffic management and water usage linked to the development. Addressing these issues, Havard indicated that discussions are ongoing with the Department of Transportation and Development (DoTD) and state officials to enhance safety at the intersection of Highway 61 and La. 964, stating, "It's kind of a safety hazard. We probably need a red light of some sort there. So we're going to work with DoTD and the state, our state partners, and try to make this thing as safe as we can."
In response to environmental concerns surrounding the project, a representative from Hut 8, the company behind the data centre, assured attendees that a closed-loop water system will be utilised to mitigate potential environmental impact. “We wouldn't want to build a water consuming facility here. The closed loop is a nature of the climate and the engineering we're trying to meet on the project,” the representative remarked.
While the project has garnered support for its job creation potential, specific timelines for construction commencement were not disclosed by Hut 8 representatives. This development represents a significant shift towards integrating advanced technology and infrastructure in West Feliciana Parish, reflecting broader trends in AI automation and its implications for local economies.
Source: Noah Wire Services