Cleco lands a $3.6 Billion Applied Digital AI Factory Campus
Cleco lands a $3.6 Billion Applied Digital AI Factory Campus. The project is expected to create 418 new job opportunities in the Central Region. I’ve been leading/supporting this project since it first started more than two years ago and am beyond happy to share this announcement.
The campus will establish Applied Digital ’s first Louisiana location and support advanced AI and cloud computing workloads.
The new campus will directly support 200 new full-time, on-site jobs with salaries 150% of the state average wage. The project will create over 1,000 construction jobs at peak construction. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in an additional 218 indirect new jobs, for a total of 418 potential new job opportunities in the Central Region.
“Central Louisiana is exactly the kind of community we had in mind when we set out to build Applied Digital — a region with strong roots, abundant potential, and people who understand the value of long-term investment,” Applied Digital Chairman and CEO Wes Cummins said. “We’re honored to bring Delta Forge 1 to Rapides Parish, and we are committed to being a supportive, engaged partner in this community for the long haul. Our hope is that this campus becomes a source of opportunity and pride for the people of Central Louisiana for generations to come.”
Site development on the data center campus began in January 2026, with initial operations expected to begin in mid-2027.
Cleco will provide power to support Applied Digital’s data center campus, helping meet the energy needs of a large-scale AI and high-performance computing operation.
“This is the largest economic development opportunity in Cleco’s 90-plus year history and reflects the region’s growing competitive position for major infrastructure and technology investments,” Cleco President and CEO Bill Fontenot said. “This investment reflects the potential that many of us here in Central Louisiana have long known existed, and we see it as the beginning of even greater possibilities for our region. Cleco is proud to support transformative investments, like the data center project, that deliver meaningful economic impact while maintaining the affordability, reliability and value our customers expect and deserve.”