Applied Digital has reached a $4 million community benefit agreement with the Town of Boyce to fund improvements, infrastructure enhancements, and economic growth. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The digital infrastructure company is developing the Delta Forge I AI Factory, a $3.6 billion data center located just across the street from the town. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Officials announced the agreement on October 14, 2026, following discussions involving Louisiana Central and Applied Digital to ensure the town receives long-term benefits from the project. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
Town of Boyce Mayor Kelvin McCoy stated that the agreement represents an opportunity to make improvements that will benefit residents, strengthen infrastructure, and build a better future. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Louisiana Central CEO and President Chris Masingill noted that the deal aligns with Boyce’s geographic location, connectivity, and relationship to the project area. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Applied Digital’s Community Engagement Coordinator Gail Adams commended the mayor’s advocacy and expressed appreciation for ensuring the community shares in the opportunities created by Delta Forge I. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce
The agreement comes as the company advances its large-scale development in the area. Local leaders have emphasized the importance of tying project benefits directly to the nearby community. Discussions leading to the pact focused on long-term support for the town, which sits in close proximity to the planned facility. The $4 million commitment is intended to address needs identified through collaboration among the parties involved. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce
Meta Data Center Power Arrangements Draw Scrutiny
Separately, Entergy Louisiana is advancing plans to support Meta’s data center under construction in Richland Parish. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The facility is estimated to consume roughly 4,500 megawatts of power on a continual basis, according to a filing with the electrical grid operator MISO. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say This amount is approximately four times the single-day record of 1,160 megawatts consumed by Entergy New Orleans customers during peak demand in June 2022. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
Opponents from the Take the Power Back campaign have described the power needs as absurd and raised concerns about impacts on the energy grid, water supply, and air quality from additional gas-fired power plants. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The group protested a proposed zoning change in New Orleans that would allow smaller data centers. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Entergy Louisiana has stated that the 20-year deal with Meta requires the company to pay for the electrical infrastructure being built and that the project will not raise costs for other customers. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The company also highlighted more than 1,500 jobs tied to the buildout and noted that Governor Jeff Landry has directed that data centers must pay their own way. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
The scale of the projected electricity demand has prompted questions from advocacy groups about broader effects on regional resources. Campaign representatives have pointed to potential strains on existing systems and called for greater examination of how such facilities integrate with local infrastructure. Entergy has responded by underscoring the financial terms of the agreement and the employment opportunities associated with construction and operations. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
Public Service Commission Decision on Disclosure
The Louisiana Public Service Commission recently voted down an administrative law judge’s order that would have required Meta to disclose how it calculated job projections and electricity needs for the Richland Parish project. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta Logan Burke, executive director with the Alliance for Affordable Energy, commented on the commission’s action in a LaPolitics Q&A. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta The decision leaves certain details about the project’s planning assumptions outside the public record at this stage. Observers have noted the vote as part of ongoing regulatory review surrounding large energy users in the state. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta
Why it matters for Louisiana
These developments illustrate differing approaches to community engagement and infrastructure costs associated with large-scale data center projects in the state. The Boyce agreement provides direct local funding tied to the Applied Digital facility, while the Meta project involves substantial power infrastructure commitments and regulatory review of cost allocation and transparency. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce [kalb.com](https://www.kalb.com/2026/10/13/massive-power-needs-meta-data-center-richland-parish-are-absurd-opponents-say/‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta)
The contrast highlights how individual projects navigate local relationships and state-level oversight in different ways. In Boyce, the focus has centered on a negotiated payment structure intended to deliver immediate and sustained advantages to residents. In Richland Parish, attention has turned to the allocation of costs for new generation and transmission assets as well as the level of information shared during permitting processes. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce [kalb.com](https://www.kalb.com/2026/10/13/massive-power-needs-meta-data-center-richland-parish-are-absurd-opponents-say/‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta)
Stakeholders across Louisiana continue to monitor how these arrangements evolve. The outcomes in both cases may influence future negotiations between data-center developers, utilities, and host communities. Local officials in Boyce have expressed optimism about the tangible improvements the funding can support over time. Meanwhile, questions around the Meta facility remain active in regulatory and public forums. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce [kalb.com](https://www.kalb.com/2026/10/13/massive-power-needs-meta-data-center-richland-parish-are-absurd-opponents-say/‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta)
Overall, the two projects demonstrate the range of issues that accompany major digital infrastructure investments. Community benefit agreements, power procurement contracts, and disclosure requirements each play roles in shaping public perception and project timelines. Continued attention to these elements will help clarify how benefits and burdens are distributed across affected areas. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce [kalb.com](https://www.kalb.com/2026/10/13/massive-power-needs-meta-data-center-richland-parish-are-absurd-opponents-say/‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta)
Evidence Used
- Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce — Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce
- Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say — Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
- Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say — Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
- ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta — ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta