Community Accountability Network

Tag: Northeast Louisiana

  • The Overlap: Public Dollars, Private Influence

    The Overlap: Public Dollars, Private Influence

    This article may appear in multiple series, as the topics are intertwined.

    Economic development in Northeast Louisiana is often described as a public-private partnership. That model is common. What matters is how it functions in practice.

    A review of GROW NELA’s publicly listed Board of Directors and investor roster reveals a pattern of overlap between those who financially support the organization and those who help govern it.

    Documented examples include but are not limited to:
    – Shane Smiley, President of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. The Police Jury is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. Smiley also serves on GROW NELA’s Board of Directors representing the parish.
    – Tania Hilburn, Senior Vice President with Chase Bank. Chase is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. She serves on the board representing the bank.
    – Matt Dickerson, Chief Strategy Officer at Mid South Extrusion. Mid South Extrusion is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. He serves on the board.
    – Chap Breard, owner of MOEbiz. MOEbiz is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. He serves on the board.
    – Emily Stogner, affiliated with DPR Construction. DPR is listed as an investor in GROW NELA. DPR is also a prime contractor on the Meta data center project in Richland Parish.

    These connections are drawn directly from publicly available board and investor listings.

    This structure means that multiple entities financially supporting GROW NELA also hold governance positions within the organization.

    That structure is not automatically improper.

    However, when public institutions invest taxpayer dollars into an organization whose board includes private firms that may later benefit from development projects, the public has a right to review:
    – How funding agreements are structured
    – Whether conflicts of interest are disclosed
    – Whether recusals are documented
    – Whether procurement processes involving investor-linked firms are transparent

    Public Records Requests

    In order to better understand how these relationships operate in practice, I submitted public records requests to both the City of Monroe and the Ouachita Parish Police Jury seeking documentation of:
    – Contracts and cooperative agreements with GROW NELA
    – Payments to investor-linked firms
    – Procurement documentation related to those contracts

    After receiving no communication from the Police Jury, I visited their office in person. I was informed that my request was received on February 20. I requested written confirmation of receipt and was told the request had been forwarded to the Police Jury’s attorney.

    As of this writing, no records have been produced.

    Under Louisiana Public Records Law, public bodies are required to respond within three business days by either producing records or providing a written explanation and timeline.

    The State of Louisiana has acknowledged receipt of a related records request and indicated that documents are being compiled on their behalf.

    This review is ongoing.

    CAN Report Image

  • Bonus Feature: The Digital Footprint (Chart 1)

    Bonus Feature: The Digital Footprint (Chart 1)

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor and The Record

    Remember these names, remember these faces — this is one of many charts I’ll be dropping just to fill you in on the connections that deserve clarity.

    It simply maps out publicly documented roles connected to the Richland Parish Data Center: regional economic development (Grow NELA), the utility provider (Entergy), and contractors involved in the build (DPR and Copeland Electric). These kinds of projects typically move through recruitment, infrastructure planning, and regulatory approval before public announcement, often within a relatively small professional network.

    The purpose of this graphic is to show structure — not to suggest wrongdoing. Many citizens have said they felt left out of the loop, so I’m laying the groundwork to better understand how the process unfolded. I’m still waiting on public records requests, and future posts will include more documentation as it becomes available.

    CAN Report Image

  • Part 6 — The Local Layer (1 of 2): What We Know Now

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor & The Record

    As I continue examining the local layer behind the arrival of Meta to northeast Louisiana, I want to begin by clearly separating what is documented and confirmed from what remains under review.

    Major projects like this do not move forward through corporations alone. They move through regional boards, nonprofits, utilities, chambers of commerce, and public officials who operate much closer to home. Understanding that local layer is essential.

    Confirmed Board Overlap

    Public nonprofit filings show that both Friday Ellis and Shane Smiley served on the board of Grow NELA during the period when the Meta data center was being promoted. Grow NELA later transitioned into Grow Northeast Louisiana, with overlapping leadership involved in that restructuring.

    It is also documented that during this period, the nonprofit reported significant legal and consulting expenditures and later transferred assets as part of its transition.

    Those facts are not allegations. They are contained in publicly filed nonprofit documents.

    Entergy Representation

    Board listings also show representation connected to Entergy, the regional electric utility. That is not unusual for economic development organizations. Utilities frequently sit on regional boards because infrastructure and power commitments are central to industrial recruitment.

    However, it is a relevant structural detail given that hyperscale data centers like Meta’s are heavily dependent on long-term power agreements and grid capacity planning.

    Richland Parish Chamber Overlap

    There is also documented overlap between Grow NELA board membership and the Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce. Chamber leadership participation in regional development boards is common, but it is part of the broader ecosystem that shaped regional economic strategy during the same timeframe.

    These overlapping roles do not imply wrongdoing. They do, however, illustrate how interconnected regional leadership can be during major project development.

    Direct Questions to Local Officials

    Because of public speculation surrounding non-disclosure agreements and local involvement, I reached out directly to Mayor Ellis and to Shane Smiley for comment and clarification on the rumors circling.

    Mayor Ellis responded.

    In his response, he stated that he did not personally sign any non-disclosure agreement related to Meta, site selection, or economic development discussions. He also stated that the City of Monroe did not sign any non-disclosure agreements related to the project.

    Ellis acknowledged that confidentiality agreements are common during early site evaluation processes but stated that any such agreements would have been handled at the organizational level and that he was not a signatory.

    He further stated that he did not participate in Meta site selection negotiations and was not involved in Meta-related discussions at either the city level or within the nonprofit. He described his board role as general governance and regional economic development strategy rather than project-level negotiation.

    As of publication, Shane Smiley has not responded to a request for comment regarding the same questions.

    I also reached out to the Mayor of Rayville for comment. That call has not been returned.

    What Happens Next

    Public records requests have been submitted seeking:
    – Board meeting minutes
    – Confidentiality agreements
    – Legal expenditure documentation

    Those records are pending.

    Part Two of The Local Layer will move beyond board structure and governance and examine another critical piece of the story: how the land for the Meta project was acquired and what can be expected moving forward in terms of land purchasing, development expansion, and regional real estate impact.

    When projects of this scale arrive, the story is not just about a corporation. It is about the network of local leadership, institutions, infrastructure partners, and property decisions that shape what happens next.

    This first installment focuses on what is documented and confirmed.

    The next will examine the land, the transactions, what they may signal about the future and what the pending records can confirm.

  • Bonus Feature: Pressure Below the Surface

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor and The Record

    This is perhaps the most concerning portion of my research. While topics like corruption and the money trail interest many people, sometimes we get lost in the conspiracies and forget to face the realities of what real-life consequences exist beyond the deep pockets behind the scenes.

    This article is based on historical events from North Louisiana and the real risks involved in the data center’s construction. As of publication of this article, Meta has not responded, but I did send a request to their environmental team to get a better understanding of their potential awareness (or lack thereof) regarding this risk. This article will be long.

    Many people in Richland Parish may not realize that long before data centers, industrial expansion, or modern development, our area played a major role in Louisiana’s oil history. Communities like Delhi, Holly Ridge, and Dunn sit above what is known as the Delhi Field, an oil field that was heavily developed during World War II and reshaped the land beneath our feet in ways that still matter today.

    During the war, oil was considered a strategic national resource. Wells in the Delhi Field were drilled quickly and in large numbers to meet urgent demand. While that effort supported the country at the time, it also left behind aging infrastructure, legacy wells, and underground formations that have been altered by decades of industrial activity.

    Years later, the field became known for a process called CO2-enhanced oil recovery. This method involves injecting pressurized carbon dioxide underground to help push oil out of older wells. It is a common practice in aging oil fields and was used extensively in the Delhi Field by operators such as Denbury Resources, which was later acquired by ExxonMobil.

    This history is important because carbon dioxide does not simply disappear after injection. It remains underground, contained by rock layers, well casings, and pressure balance. When those systems work as designed, the gas stays put. When they fail, problems can occur.

    In the Delhi Field, there is a documented example of this. At the Holt-Bryant Unit, a well failure allowed oil, saltwater, and carbon dioxide to reach the surface. The incident required an extended environmental cleanup and a HAZMAT response, along with temporary restrictions in the area. This event matters because it shows that surface releases are not just theoretical. They have happened here before.

    Carbon dioxide is not toxic in the traditional sense, but it can be dangerous when released in large amounts. It is colorless, odorless, and heavier than air. When it escapes into low-lying areas, it can displace oxygen, creating risks for people, animals, and vegetation without obvious warning signs. That is why carbon dioxide releases are treated as environmental and safety emergencies and why they trigger specialized response protocols.

    Today, the conversation has shifted to large-scale development, including data centers, which require significant water resources to operate. Groundwater withdrawal itself is not unusual, but in areas with complex underground histories, it raises reasonable questions. Large changes in water levels can affect underground pressure, and pressure balance is one of the factors that helps keep gases and fluids contained deep below the surface.

    This does not mean that a problem will occur. It means that history matters when evaluating risk. Areas with porous formations, legacy wells, and past carbon dioxide injection deserve careful study and clear communication about safeguards, monitoring, and contingency planning.

    To better understand how these issues were evaluated, Meta has been contacted with questions about groundwater modeling, subsurface pressure considerations, legacy well integrity, and which agencies reviewed and approved those assessments. As of publication, a response has not yet been provided.

    Asking these questions is not about stopping development or spreading fear. It is about transparency. Communities deserve to understand what exists beneath their land, what has happened here before, and how those lessons are being applied today. Growth and accountability are not opposites. They work best when the public is informed and included.

    This article is meant to provide context, not conclusions. The goal is clarity, not alarm. History does not automatically dictate the future, but ignoring it has consequences. Understanding it gives communities the ability to ask better questions and make more informed decisions about what comes next.

    TLDR:
    This article explains the industrial history beneath parts of Richland Parish, where oil drilling and carbon dioxide (CO2) injection were used for decades in the Delhi Field. A past well failure in the area shows that oil, saltwater, and CO2 have reached the surface before, which is why CO2 is treated as a safety concern when it escapes underground. With new large-scale development requiring significant water use, the article asks whether this history was fully considered and what safeguards are in place. The goal is transparency and public understanding, not alarm.

    I will provide additional context and information in my final part of the series when I talk more freely in an opinion piece. If you’ve stuck around this long, thank you.

  • Part 4 — The New Smoke Stack

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor, and the Record

    As data centers continue expanding across rural and residential parts of the country, they are often described as clean, quiet, and low-impact. But when these facilities arrive in regions like North Louisiana, they are not entering a blank slate. They are being layered onto communities that already experience some of the highest rates of chronic illness in the state and the nation. Understanding the environmental and health implications of data centers requires looking not just at what they add, but at what already exists.

    North Louisiana has long struggled with elevated rates of respiratory disease. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more common here than in many parts of the country, and these conditions are known to worsen with exposure to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants are associated with industrial activity, fossil-fuel power generation, and diesel emissions — all of which are connected to the energy demands of large-scale data centers. Even when facilities operate without outages, backup diesel generators are routinely tested, releasing concentrated bursts of pollution into surrounding areas. For residents already living with respiratory vulnerability, these emissions can compound existing health risks over time.

    Cancer is another major concern. Louisiana has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the United States, and while the most well-known industrial pollution corridor lies in the southern part of the state, northern parishes are not immune to cumulative exposure. Long-term contact with air and water contaminants, even at low levels, has been linked in scientific literature to increased cancer risk. Many North Louisiana communities already live near industrial plants, rail corridors, and power infrastructure. Adding another energy-intensive operation raises concerns not because of a single source, but because of layered exposure that builds over decades.

    Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in Louisiana, and North Louisiana follows this trend closely. Medical research has established a strong connection between air pollution and cardiovascular illness, including heart attacks and strokes. Fine particulate matter can enter the bloodstream through the lungs, increasing inflammation and stress on the cardiovascular system. When regions with high baseline rates of heart disease experience additional pollution burdens, the public health consequences can be significant, even if those changes are gradual and difficult to trace to one source.

    Water use presents another critical issue. Data centers require enormous volumes of water to cool servers and maintain operations. In rural North Louisiana, many residents rely on groundwater and wells rather than large municipal systems. Heavy industrial water withdrawal can lower water tables, strain aquifers, and affect water quality. Communities elsewhere have reported declining well levels and water access challenges after large facilities began operating nearby. In a region where clean, reliable water is already essential to public health, increased competition for water resources raises serious concerns.

    These environmental pressures do not occur evenly across populations. Low-income and rural communities often bear a disproportionate share of industrial impacts, including poorer air quality and reduced access to healthcare. North Louisiana already faces challenges related to chronic disease, maternal and infant health outcomes, and access to medical services. Research shows that air pollution exposure is linked to higher rates of low birth weight, premature birth, and other adverse outcomes. While no single facility can be blamed for these trends, cumulative environmental stress plays a recognized role in worsening health disparities.

    None of this suggests that data centers alone are responsible for North Louisiana’s health challenges. Smoking rates, diet, genetics, and socioeconomic factors all play important roles. But public health experts consistently emphasize that environmental exposures interact with these factors, amplifying risk rather than existing in isolation. When communities already facing high rates of asthma, cancer, heart disease, and stroke are asked to absorb additional industrial load, it is reasonable to ask how much more the system can bear.

    The conversation around data centers is often framed as a choice between economic growth and opposition to progress. That framing misses the point. The real issue is whether communities are being given a full picture of how these facilities affect air quality, water resources, and long-term health in regions already carrying heavy environmental and medical burdens. Digital infrastructure may be invisible to the eye, but its physical footprint is real, measurable, and felt most by the people living closest to it.

    As North Louisiana continues to be considered for large-scale industrial and digital development, the question is not whether technology should exist, but whether growth is being planned with the health of existing communities at the center of the conversation, rather than treated as an afterthought once construction is complete.

    Health data shows us the consequences. Money records show us the motivations. In the next article, Inside The Black Box, I’ll be examining the financial trail behind data center development and asking why so many key decisions affecting public resources were made behind closed doors.

    TLDR:
    North Louisiana already faces high rates of asthma, cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Large data centers add significant demands on electricity and water, contributing to air pollution and resource strain that can worsen existing health vulnerabilities. While no single facility can be blamed for these conditions, layering energy-intensive infrastructure onto communities with known health challenges raises serious concerns about cumulative environmental exposure and long-term public health. Communities deserve transparency and health-centered planning before additional industrial impacts are introduced.

  • Halfway Through the Series — A Note to Readers

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor, and the Record

    I want to start by thanking everyone who has taken the time to read, share, and engage with this series so far. I know it’s long, detailed, and not always easy information, and I truly appreciate the people who have stuck with me through it.

    I’ve been thinking a lot about how different this conversation could look if communities were given real, transparent research before major projects were approved. Not to stop growth, but to understand it. When decisions affect jobs, housing, utilities, and quality of life, people deserve more than headlines and promises.

    As part of this work, I’m also looking into interests connected to the project, including political ties, and asking why more of that information wasn’t shared publicly from the start. This isn’t about accusations. It’s about understanding who benefits, how decisions are made, and why transparency often comes after the fact instead of before.

    There is a lot more to come. I believe the public deserves to be informed, included, and respected in conversations that shape our communities. My goal is to keep asking questions, sharing what I find, and making sure this information is accessible to everyone, not just a few people behind closed doors.

    After this series is over, you can look for my next series on bipartisan political corruption: Beyond Party Loyalty. I’ve been digging deep into NELA records and am excited to share with you who’s doing it right — and who isn’t. If you find yourself to be loyal to a politician because of the party they represent, this series may not be for you. But if you’re ready to give credit where credit is due and hold those responsible regardless of their affiliation, I invite you to join me on this eye-opening journey.

  • Part 2 — The Labor Yard

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Rumor, Fact, and the Record

    As construction continues on the Meta data center in Richland Parish, the project has become a magnet for speculation. Some residents believe outsiders are taking all the jobs. Others insist locals were never meant to benefit at all. Meanwhile, some are already seeing opportunities roll in.

    To better understand what is real and what is rumor, I sat down with local business owners, residents, and on-site workers and reviewed publicly available data and documented programs. What I found was far more complex and far less conspiratorial than online discourse suggests.

    Local Businesses Feeling the Strain

    My first stop was Opal’s, a local food truck owned by Logan and Katie. After ordering a to-die-for chicken sandwich, we got down to business. They shared that while they were initially excited about the data center, they now feel left behind by the multi-billion-dollar project.

    When they first learned about the development, they believed their best option was to invest their life savings into a food truck and serve the community through the transition. Katie explained that business was strong when they first opened, but since Thanksgiving, constant road closures have reduced their daily customers from roughly 100 to around 30.

    You will find Opal’s parked about a mile from the main data center. When asked why they are not located in the food truck park, Katie answered immediately, saying it costs $2,500 per month. That price does not include water. For a new small business, it is simply not feasible. While other locations exist, they said they have been priced out of all of them.

    Their frustration deepened when they learned that food trucks are reportedly operating inside the construction site itself and catering directly to crews. Despite repeated attempts, they have been unable to even get a call back about similar opportunities. Katie shared that she was initially told locals would be among the first included, but now feels that outside businesses are being given exclusive access.

    Beyond business concerns, they are also worried about changes to their neighborhood. They live on a dead-end road where their children have always been able to play freely, surrounded by only a few neighbors. Now, plans are underway to install a mobile home and RV park with at least 700 lots to house workers. They worry about the sudden influx of new residents and how it will impact their sense of safety and community.

    Despite these challenges, Logan and Katie are committed to staying. Logan shared that he felt almost forced out of farming, his previous livelihood. There was no preparation period, only the sudden appearance of construction lights and the need to scramble for a backup plan. He expressed that he is willing to adapt but wishes there had been more transparency from local leadership so families like his could plan instead of react.

    Contractors Finding Opportunity

    As we finished our meal, several construction workers arrived to order lunch. Their trucks belonged to Holy Dippers, a local plumbing and septic company contracted for the project. Larry Ezell explained that the company owner was simply in the right place at the right time, meeting the right contractor who offered an opportunity.

    The company expanded quickly to meet project demands. Larry said they have offered jobs to locals, but many declined because they did not want to work the required hours. He emphasized that the work is there for those willing to commit. His crew expressed gratitude for the opportunity and optimism about future phases of the project, even knowing the current contract will not last forever.

    A Local Success Story

    Next, I visited Holy Tacos in Rayville, a taco truck that has since become a permanent location. Owner Tim Allen, who also serves as a local children’s minister, shared a very different experience. Tim has a recurring catering contract with Meta, often serving more than 1,500 tacos at a time.

    He repeatedly expressed gratitude for the project, explaining that it allowed his family to stay together and remain rooted in Richland Parish. His business is entirely run by himself, his wife, and their children. He believes the data center created opportunities that previously did not exist for his kids in the local job market.

    Tim encouraged residents to find ways to adapt rather than resist the changes. He acknowledged that fear of the unknown is natural, but believes there is space for locals to succeed if they are willing to find where they fit. While sympathetic to those living closest to the construction, he remains optimistic about the growth and future business development the project will bring.

    If nothing else, one clear benefit has emerged. The tacos are excellent.

    Understanding the Workforce Reality

    After hearing such mixed experiences, I wanted to better understand employment realities for locals who cannot afford to start a business to adapt. I spoke with a group of on-site workers who had traveled from out of state.

    They were grateful for the opportunity but admitted they missed home. Travel, they explained, is simply part of the job for skilled laborers. According to them, there were not enough local workers with the required training to support a project of this scale. One worker noted that hiring locals would be far more cost-effective for employers, as lodging and per diem expenses are substantial.

    They emphasized that their work requires specialized training and is not general labor. The group encouraged locals to consider trade school, stating that there is enough work for everyone willing to adjust to demanding schedules.

    Training Programs and Economic Data

    While I could not independently verify every claim shared with me, multiple locals referenced a trade school program offered through Louisiana Delta Community College, which includes stipends for Richland Parish residents and job opportunities upon completion. I also learned of several job fairs hosted in the parish, though specific hiring outcomes were not available.

    What can be verified is that large industrial projects often rely on a combination of local labor, regional contractors, and specialized out-of-state workers, particularly during peak construction.

    In January 2026, Louisiana Delta Community College launched a Data Center Technician Program designed to prepare local residents for long-term technical roles tied to data center operations. These positions offer starting wages between $18 and $24 per hour, with advancement opportunities as the facility transitions into full operation.

    Meta has also invested earlier in workforce development. The company donated $50,000 to Richland Parish Public Schools to support technology and STEAM education, including mixed-reality tools meant to introduce students to technical career paths before graduation.

    According to Louisiana Economic Development, Meta has contracted more than $875 million with Louisiana companies, with 84 percent of those businesses located in Northeast Louisiana. These contracts span construction, logistics, food services, and maintenance.

    Hiring is not centralized solely through Meta. Locals can apply through the Richland Parish Data Center hiring portal or directly with major contractors such as DPR Construction, Turner Construction, and Mortenson. State-administered workforce programs also exist to support training and credentialing for high-demand industries and are commonly used for large infrastructure projects statewide.

    Looking Ahead

    From what I have seen, opportunity does exist for those willing and able to pursue it. That reality does not diminish the struggles many locals are facing. Adjustment periods are real, and not everyone can pivot at the same pace. However, additional business growth is expected to follow, creating new opportunities beyond the data center itself.

    In a meeting with Mayor Ellis, he expressed strong support for the project, stating that when one parish wins, the region benefits. While Monroe has historically served as the labor hub for North Louisiana, Richland Parish is now contributing jobs that support surrounding communities as well.

    Next, I will take a closer look at additional job growth expected outside of the data center and the broader economic ripple effects this transition may bring.

  • Update: Visit to Grow NELA Office

    Series: The Richland Parish Data Center: Truth, Rumor & The Record

    On Tuesday, I stopped by the Grow NELA office to request records related to the Richland Parish Data Center project and get a better understanding of why my emails were going unanswered.

    I was told that as a private nonprofit entity, they are not required to provide records and that any further communication regarding such should be directed to their attorney.

    While it’s true that private nonprofits are not always subject to the same public records laws as government agencies, that does not automatically mean records are inaccessible in all circumstances — particularly when public infrastructure, public funding, and governmental coordination are involved, which is what I am working on clarifying for the public.

    Transparency can be simple. When an organization is operating in connection with major regional development, clarity builds public trust. Journalism aside, my personal opinion is that on a project of this magnitude and with so many rumors and reports of possible insider information, the easiest way to clarify things is by transparency without legal avenues.

    My request was straightforward and respectful. I will now pursue documentation through the appropriate public agencies and legal channels.

    The goal remains the same: transparency, accountability, and a clear understanding of process.

    More to come.