The Caddo Parish Commission on Dec. 1 approved a resolution establishing the parish’s pilot terms to offer annual payments in lieu of taxes to data centers seeking to locate outside Shreveport city limits, drawing hours of public comment and sustained debate among commissioners.

The resolution, described by staff as a set of terms the parish would offer through the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority, does not itself authorize construction or zoning changes, officials said; companies would still need special-use permits, approvals from the Public Service Commission and other regulatory permissions. The commission voted to adopt the resolution after a call for the question; the clerk recorded the final tally as 10 in favor and 2 opposed.

Why it matters: Parish leaders said the pilot is intended to make Caddo Parish competitive for large technology investments that proponents say bring construction activity, long-term tax revenue and permanent local jobs. Opponents and multiple residents urged caution, citing concerns about transparency, high water and electricity use by data centers, and the limited number of permanent positions such facilities create.

What supporters said: Commissioner John Atkins said the pilot could unlock “thousands” of temporary construction jobs and several hundred permanent positions while generating infrastructure revenue; he cited large construction- and investment figures during remarks. Commissioner Gregory Young, who moved to take the item up early, said the parish must act to manage growth or it will be imposed externally.

Staff and proponents — including Justin Dixon, president and CEO of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, and attorney Mike Posada — described the resolution as a market signal: it sets the incentive package the parish would offer if a qualifying company comes forward. Posada told commissioners the package is designed to protect community interests, requiring companies to build or fund infrastructure improvements, reimburse road damage and contribute to fire-service improvements when necessary.

Water and oversight: Commissioner Roy Burrell and other commissioners pressed the city’s water and sewer director, Brandon Snead, for capacity details. Snead said the water department had modeled the system’s capacity and could more than meet the projected needs, adding that companies frequently fund upgrades — for example, new pumps or towers — that become city assets. Commissioners sought and received commitments from staff to include educational meetings and community-engagement requirements in any pilot agreement and to place enforcement clauses in contracts to recoup incentives should job targets or other conditions fail to materialize.

Public opposition and transparency concerns: Multiple residents told the commission they felt the process had been rushed and opaque. Robert Lawrence and Francis Kelly, among others, criticized the use of nondisclosure agreements in some negotiations and argued the community deserved more time, expert review and open meetings before an incentive framework was finalized. Abigail (Abby) Whittington and other commenters said the term sheet had not been available to the public until shortly before the meeting.

What the vote does — and does not do: Commissioners and staff repeatedly clarified that adopting Resolution 48 establishes the parish’s willingness to offer specific PILOT terms to qualifying data centers outside the city limits; it does not approve siting, construction or special-use permits. Additional approvals — including the Metropolitan Planning Commission or city council approvals for projects inside city limits — remain separate steps.

What’s next: Staff told the commission the pilot terms would be used by the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority to negotiate pilot (PILOT) agreements and that specific projects would return for permit reviews and other required approvals. Commissioners also recorded a commitment from staff and counsel to require community education meetings, a common condition in other Louisiana parishes that host data centers.

Vote tally and procedural notes: The commission first voted to take the resolution out of order (recorded as 11–0). After debate and a motion to end discussion, the resolution was adopted with the recorded final vote of 10 in favor and 2 opposed. Commission and staff members noted that a more detailed term sheet was posted to meeting materials the day of the vote.

The commission adjourned after taking additional ceremonial actions and routine business.