I was thrilled to read that Meta (Facebook) had selected Holly Ridge in Richland Parish (near Monroe, Louisiana) as the site of its planned $10 billion Artificial Intelligence data center.  Governor Jeff Landry stated that “this investment is a game changer for our state.”  He further noted “this project is expected to be the largest private capital investment in the state’s history.”  Wow!

However, this tremendous success is nearly two decades in the making.

In 2006, I was serving in D.C. as Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Rodney Alexander (no relation).  One of the many projects Congressman Alexander was working on was assisting Governor Kathleen Blanco with preparing the Holly Ridge, Louisiana mega site location in Congressman Alexander’s 5th Congressional District.

The late Governor Blanco recognized early on that this large piece of land, situated as it was on Interstate 20 and within the proximity of Interstate 49 in Shreveport, could provide an ideal location for some major industry.  So, Gov. Blanco pushed her Department of Economic Development to focus on getting the land certified as “site ready.”  She then sought potential suitors and led an economic development trip to Asia for that purpose.  (During her tenure, one of Gov. Blanco’s signature achievements was landing Union Tank Car Co. in Alexandria, LA, also in Congressman Alexander’s congressional district).

Governor Blanco invited Congressman Alexander to accompany her on the Asia trip, but he was unable to do so due to several major votes in Congress as well as critical votes on the House Appropriations Committee, on which he sat.  He simply couldn’t afford to be away.  So, I volunteered to travel with Governor Blanco in support of the 5th Congressional District.

What a trip.

One event involved Governor Blanco and our group meeting with the Vice President of Toyota Motor Company.  I remember being briefed on the way over that the Japanese people are a shy, highly respectful people and not to be loud or overly expressive in the typical American and Louisiana way!  However, Coach Raymond Blanco, the Governor’s husband, departed our plane and immediately provided a bear hug to the leader of the greeting party at the airport who seemed at first taken aback but then smiled warmly.  I got the feeling we were not the first Americans who had not adhered to the “hands off” protocol.

Toyota appeared genuinely receptive to our pitch and had a number of questions for Gov. Blanco and her economic development team, headed by Michael Olivier, who was well prepared.  I remember my one utterance was to tell the VP of Toyota that “there really is no place as special as Louisiana and no potential plant site as promising for Toyota as our Holly Ridge site.” (I also note the years of lobbying by economic developer, Tana Trichel, to bring this project to fruition).

Next, we headed to Beijing, China. I noticed that the moment we had gotten into Chinese air space all our phones and electronic devices said “China” on them.  I realized that our devices were likely being monitored by the Chinese communist government.

In Beijing, we toured several major industries.  I was reminded that in a communist country there is no need for permits, environmental impact statements or any other delays.  Once the government decided a project was needed, it was undertaken and completed.  One evening we were invited to a formal dinner.  I sat down and looked around.  It struck me that I had never before, and likely never would again, eat dinner in a room full of communists.  It was surreal.  I remember Gov. Blanco and her staff enthusiastically pitching, through interpreters, Louisiana generally and our mega site location specifically.

Gov. Blanco emphasized that Louisiana would be a great business partner and would offer very competitive economic incentives to Chinese companies that located to Louisiana.  I felt the Chinese leadership at the table were listening closely.

Returning home, I was hopeful about the prospect of Asian investment in Louisiana, and especially at the Holly Ridge site.  That didn’t happen at that time but the extensive preparation that went into getting the property “site ready” is what made this decision possible by Meta. Without the foresight of Governor Blanco and the unconditional support of Congressman Alexander, this decision by Meta could not have occurred.

I also salute Governor Landry and his staff for doing the work necessary to cross the finish line of this unprecedented economic victory for Louisiana.