How Louisiana Plans to Transform Rural Tech Jobs
An interview with Josh Flieg, Chief Innovation Officer at Louisiana Economic Development
Q: Can you tell us about the Meta data center project and its significance for Louisiana? What makes this investment a game-changer for the region’s economy and tech landscape?
The Meta data center project for Louisiana will be the largest out of Meta’s 20+ data centers globally with over $10 billion in capital investment. Being able to invest in cutting-edge technology like AI also means investing in improving the lives of Louisiana residents with high-paying jobs that support families and help us adapt to a fast-changing world.
More importantly, because of its location in rural Louisiana, the project will have an outsized positive impact, positioning the state for substantive economic growth.
Q: How is Louisiana preparing its workforce to meet the demands of this new data center and the growing tech sector? Can you share specific training programs, partnerships with schools, or initiatives to develop the necessary skills?
Meta's investment will enable Louisiana to not only develop the next generation of the state’s workforce to compete nationally as a leader in AI jobs but also partner with local communities to boost residents’ skills and technology use.
Once the data center is operational, Meta will introduce a Data Center Community Action Grants program that will put technology to use for the community benefit, which includes improving educational resources, especially around science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM).Â
They’ve also committed to paying 150% of the state's per capita average salary, which makes this a transformational investment for north Louisiana and the state as a whole.Â
Additionally, $250,000 in funding for Workforce Rapid Response to Delta Community College by the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) will be used to develop programs and expand capacity. The community college will increase the scale of its construction trades programs in order to meet the initial construction needs while partnering with peer institutions experienced in developing and delivering curricula for data center operations.
Q: The project is expected to bring salaries 150% above local averages in one of Louisiana’s most economically disadvantaged communities. What types of jobs—both direct and indirect—will this investment create, and what opportunities should early-career professionals be aware of?
With the onset of this project, Louisiana can expect more than 500 estimated direct new jobs and more than 1,000 indirect–both at completion, alongside over 5,000 construction workers at peak by 2030.
Q: Many people assume tech careers require coding or advanced degrees. What roles in data centers, such as construction, operations, or sustainability, are often overlooked but offer significant opportunities for young people and career switchers?
Aside from the opportunities presented by the technical aspects of the data center, the project will be supported by $200 million in local infrastructure improvements such as roads and water system upgrades. Additionally, opportunities for HVAC, IT, plumbing, electrical and other related engineering jobs will be created in the new Meta center as the state plans to up-skill and R&D to make sure that the Louisiana workforce is leading in AI, not being replaced by it.
Q: Looking ahead, how do you see projects like this influencing Louisiana’s identity as a tech hub? What steps are being taken to ensure long-term growth, innovation, and talent development in the state?
To ensure a winning strategy, the state has begun stacking competitive advantages over other states with similar ambitions, such as the passage of Act 730, a new incentive program that reduces sales tax liability on data center equipment purchases – a major factor in final investment decisions.Â
Louisiana has also passed tax reform legislation that reduces the corporate and personal income tax rates and significantly improves Louisiana’s business tax climate. There have also been numerous public-private partnerships between educational institutions and technology companies with Business Facilities to rank Louisiana as the No. 1 or No. 2 tech talent pipeline in the U.S. in 2023 and 2024.Â
Louisiana will be continuing to invest heavily in bigger, broader AI strategies beyond this announcement, such as AI training. Our goal is to lead the nation in both AI-based research and commercialization through AI startup support, leveraging technology to revolutionize the state’s workforce and policy.
