Applied Digital Community Benefit Agreement
The Town of Boyce reached a community benefit agreement with Applied Digital that will provide $4 million to support improvements, infrastructure enhancements, and economic growth within the town. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Officials announced the deal on October 14, 2026. Applied Digital is building the $3.6 billion Delta Forge I AI Factory data center just across the street from Boyce. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The agreement emerged through discussions with Louisiana Central and Applied Digital to ensure the town receives real and 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 project of this magnitude should create meaningful opportunities for communities closest to it. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce He prioritized advocacy for Boyce to secure a seat at the table. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Louisiana Central CEO and President Chris Masingill noted the deal made sense given 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 said the company appreciates his commitment to ensuring the community shares in the opportunities created by Delta Forge I. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce
The community benefit agreement represents a structured approach to local engagement around the Delta Forge I facility. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce By directing funds specifically toward town improvements, the pact aims to deliver tangible support in areas directly affected by the data center construction. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Discussions involving Louisiana Central helped shape the terms so that benefits align with the project’s proximity to Boyce. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Mayor McCoy’s efforts focused on positioning the town to participate in decisions that affect its residents and future development. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Masingill highlighted how the location and existing connections made the agreement a logical step for all parties. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Adams emphasized the value of the mayor’s consistent focus on community inclusion throughout the process. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce
Meta Data Center Power Infrastructure Plans
Entergy Louisiana has proposed building infrastructure including a substation near Meta’s data center under construction in Richland Parish that will generate 4,500 megawatts of power for the facility. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say This amount is roughly 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 Entergy has lobbied the state’s Public Service Commission to fast-track plans to build 10 new gas-fueled power plants to meet the electrical needs of the Meta project. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
Opponents from the Take the Power Back campaign described the power needs as absurd for a single project that nobody asked for and nobody was consulted about. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say They gathered at New Orleans City Hall on October 13, 2026, to protest a proposed zoning change and raised concerns about strain on the energy grid, water supply and air pollution from new gas-fired plants. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Entergy Louisiana stated that the Richland Parish data center will pay its full and fair share and that suggestions of raised costs for other customers are false. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The company emphasized more than 1,500 jobs attached to the buildout and noted Governor Jeff Landry’s directive that data centers must pay their own way. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
The proposed substation and associated generation capacity form a central element of the power arrangements for the Meta facility. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Comparisons to historical peak usage in New Orleans underscore the scale of the projected demand. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Lobbying efforts seek expedited regulatory consideration for the additional gas plants intended to support the project. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Campaign participants expressed strong reservations about the lack of prior public input and potential effects on local resources. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Their October 13 gathering drew attention to zoning matters and broader environmental considerations tied to the new plants. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Entergy has countered that the data center will cover its costs completely and that other customers will not face increases. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The company has pointed to employment opportunities linked to construction and referenced the governor’s position on self-funded data center development. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
Regulatory Review of Meta Project Calculations
The Louisiana Public Service Commission voted down an administrative law judge’s order that would have required Meta to disclose how it calculated job projections and electricity needs for its Richland Parish data center 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 published October 16, 2026. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta The decision occurred amid broader scrutiny of the costs of powering the Meta facility. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta
Why it matters for Louisiana
These agreements and regulatory steps illustrate how data center projects intersect with local communities and statewide energy planning. The Boyce pact directs direct funding toward town improvements tied to the nearby Delta Forge I facility. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The Meta project involves substantial power infrastructure commitments from Entergy while facing questions over transparency in projections. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta Entergy maintains the deal structure protects other ratepayers and delivers investment and jobs. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Developments in both Rapides and Richland parishes show how funding mechanisms and power arrangements shape the rollout of large-scale AI-related infrastructure in the state. The Boyce agreement provides a concrete example of how nearby municipalities can negotiate direct support when major facilities locate nearby. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce In Richland Parish, the scale of proposed generation and transmission upgrades has prompted both support for economic activity and debate over planning processes. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The commission’s vote on disclosure requirements reflects ongoing discussions about how project details are evaluated. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta Across these parishes, the combination of community funding, power system investments, and regulatory oversight continues to influence the pace and structure of data center expansion. 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) Local leaders, utility representatives, and advocacy groups each contribute perspectives that inform the broader policy environment. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The emphasis on self-funded infrastructure and job creation remains a consistent theme in statements from project supporters. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say At the same time, questions about transparency and resource impacts continue to surface in public forums. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta Together these elements demonstrate the layered considerations involved in advancing large data center initiatives within Louisiana.
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