Applied Digital has reached a community benefit agreement providing $4 million to the Town of Boyce to support improvements, infrastructure enhancements and economic growth. The deal was announced October 14, 2026, and covers the area next to the company's Delta Forge I AI Factory. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The agreement represents a structured approach to ensuring that nearby residents see tangible returns from the large-scale development located just across the street. Discussions involving Louisiana Central helped shape the agreement to deliver long-term benefits to the nearby community, reflecting careful coordination between the company, local leaders and regional economic development partners. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce
Town of Boyce Mayor Kelvin McCoy stated that a project of this scale should create meaningful opportunities for the closest communities and that the $4 million represents an opportunity to strengthen infrastructure and build a better future. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The mayor emphasized that communities located nearest to major industrial investments deserve direct support that addresses both immediate needs and longer-term priorities. By securing these resources, Boyce can pursue targeted upgrades that align with the growth occurring in the immediate vicinity of the Delta Forge I site. The funding is intended to help the town prepare for and respond to the changes that accompany such a substantial neighboring development.
Louisiana Central CEO and President Chris Masingill noted the deal aligned with Boyce's geographic location, connectivity and relationship to the project area. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce The alignment reflects the town's position relative to the data center and the practical connections that make the community benefit agreement a logical extension of the project's footprint. Applied Digital Community Engagement Coordinator Gail Adams commended the mayor's advocacy and said the company appreciates the commitment to ensuring the community shares in opportunities created by Delta Forge 1. Applied Digital agrees to $4 million community benefit deal for Boyce Adams highlighted the importance of ongoing dialogue between the company and local officials as construction and operations move forward.
Power infrastructure and Meta project scrutiny
Separate strategic power arrangements surround Meta's data center under construction in Richland Parish. The facility is estimated to consume roughly four times the 1,160 megawatts New Orleans customers used on a record single-day peak in June 2022, drawing about 4,500 megawatts on a continual basis through a proposed substation. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say This level of demand has prompted detailed examination of how the project will integrate with existing grid capacity and what additional infrastructure may be required to support reliable service. Opponents with the Take the Power Back campaign described the scale as absurd for a single project and raised concerns about strain on the energy grid, water supply and the need for additional gas-fired power plants. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The campaign has focused attention on the broader implications for ratepayers and natural resources across the region.
Entergy Louisiana has stated that the 20-year deal requires Meta to pay its full and fair share of infrastructure costs without subsidization by other customers. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say The company also pointed to more than 1,500 jobs tied to the buildout and noted that Governor Jeff Landry has directed data centers to pay their own way. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say These statements underscore the utility's position that the project will not shift financial burdens onto residential or smaller commercial users. Entergy Louisiana has pushed back on claims that the project would raise costs for other ratepayers, emphasizing safeguards in the agreement and broader economic value. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say Similar reporting on the power demands and opposition appeared across multiple outlets covering the same developments. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
Regulatory review of calculations
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 The decision leaves certain details about the project's anticipated impacts less transparent to the public and to other stakeholders who have sought greater clarity. Entergy Louisiana has continued to defend the terms of the agreement, reiterating that protections are in place to prevent cost shifts while highlighting the economic activity expected from the development. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say
Why it matters for Louisiana
These funding and power arrangements illustrate how large-scale data center investments intersect with local community support and statewide infrastructure planning. The Boyce agreement provides direct resources for a host town, while the Meta project continues to draw regulatory attention over electricity demand calculations and cost allocation. ‘LaPolitics’ Q&A: Scrutinizing the costs of powering Meta Both cases reflect ongoing efforts to balance major capital commitments with local and grid impacts in Louisiana. The $4 million community benefit agreement demonstrates one model for addressing nearby community needs, whereas the Richland Parish proceedings show how regulatory bodies evaluate the scale and fairness of utility arrangements tied to hyperscale facilities. 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 Observers note that the outcomes in both instances will help shape expectations for future projects seeking to locate in the state. The combination of direct local funding and continued scrutiny of power contracts highlights the multiple layers of review that accompany these investments. Massive power needs of Meta data center in Richland Parish are ‘absurd,’ opponents say As development proceeds, the balance between economic opportunity, infrastructure demands and community considerations remains a central focus for policymakers, utilities and residents alike.
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