Applied Digital and Boyce Reach Community Benefit Agreement
The Town of Boyce has 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 just across the street from Boyce. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The agreement marks a structured approach to ensuring that nearby residents receive tangible support as large-scale development proceeds in the immediate area.
Town of Boyce Mayor Kelvin McCoy stated that the agreement represents an opportunity to make improvements that will benefit residents and strengthen infrastructure. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The deal emerged through discussions with Louisiana Central and Applied Digital to ensure the town saw real and long-term benefits from the data center. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Louisiana Central CEO and President Chris Masingill noted that the arrangement 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 These conversations focused on aligning the project’s presence with the needs of the local community over an extended period.
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 1. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The coordinator highlighted ongoing dialogue as a key element in building constructive relationships between the company and town leadership.
Meta Data Center Power Demands Draw Opposition
Meta’s data center under construction in Richland Parish is estimated to consume roughly 4,500 megawatts of power on a continual basis. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say This figure 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 Observers have pointed to the scale of this requirement as a significant factor in local discussions about energy planning and resource allocation.
Opponents with the Take the Power Back campaign described the power needs as absurd for a single project. 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 the need for new gas-fired power plants. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The gathering underscored public interest in how large projects intersect with existing utility systems and long-term infrastructure planning.
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 Company representatives have reiterated that data centers are expected to cover their own expenses in line with state guidance.
Public Service Commission Action on Meta Disclosures
The Louisiana Public Service Commission recently voted down its 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 decision. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta The vote has prompted further examination of disclosure standards and oversight procedures for major energy users in the state.
Why it matters for Louisiana
These developments illustrate how data center projects are generating both direct community funding agreements and ongoing regulatory review of power arrangements. The Boyce agreement provides targeted local support tied to the Delta Forge 1 project, while the Meta facility continues to prompt questions about electricity demand and oversight processes before the Public Service Commission. 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) Entergy has emphasized that data centers must pay their own way, aligning with state directives, and that the Richland Parish project brings significant investment and long-term benefits. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Similar coverage of the Meta power concerns appeared across multiple outlets. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
The combination of community benefit commitments and scrutiny over large-scale power needs reflects the scale of current data center activity in Louisiana parishes and the mechanisms being used to address local impacts. Local officials and company representatives continue to stress the importance of balancing economic opportunities with infrastructure considerations. Discussions around these projects highlight the role of negotiated agreements in supporting municipal services while regulatory bodies evaluate broader energy implications. The presence of multiple large facilities underscores ongoing conversations about how parishes manage growth associated with advanced computing infrastructure. Community leaders have expressed interest in ensuring that benefits extend beyond initial construction phases. Regulatory proceedings at the Public Service Commission level demonstrate the level of review applied to major utility arrangements. Overall, the developments show distinct approaches to managing the effects of data center expansion across different Louisiana communities. 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) Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
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
- ‘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
- 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