Is St. Tammany Quietly Preparing for a Major Industrial Arrival?

By Around Pearl River

Chapter 1: The Rezoning of the Northshore

In 2022, St. Tammany Parish adopted its long-range planning document, New Directions 2040.

At first glance, it appears to be a standard comprehensive growth plan. However, within its maps and zoning strategies, it formally designates corridors along LA-1088 and I-12 for Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics (AML) uses.

AML zoning allows for large-scale operations such as:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Distribution centers
• Logistics hubs
• Data infrastructure facilities

These designations represent a shift from traditional rural or low-density development toward industrial-scale capability in targeted corridors.

📌 Source: New Directions 2040 Comprehensive Plan (see AML corridor maps)

📌 Multi-Modal Transportation Plan (MMTP)

Chapter 2: The $200 Million Grid Upgrade

In late 2025, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) approved Cleco Power’s approximately $200 million Grid Resilience Plan.

Beginning January 1, 2026, Cleco customers began seeing a new line item on their bills:

Grid Resilience Cost Recovery Rider (Tariff No. 45)

This rider allows Cleco to recover costs associated with system upgrades aimed at strengthening reliability and preparing for future demand.

Within LPSC Docket I-36175, some planning materials related to future large power loads were filed under protective order as “High Sensitivity Protected Materials.”

This is not unusual in large industrial recruitment cases, as companies often request confidentiality during negotiations.

However, it does mean:

• Regulators have access to more detailed information.
• The public does not have full visibility into specific large-load customers being planned for.

📌 Source: Cleco Tariff No. 45 (Jan 2026)

📌 LPSC Docket I-36175

Chapter 3: The $34 Million Connector

Construction is underway on a $34 million road project connecting LA-1088 to US-190.

The project has been publicly framed as:

• Traffic improvement
• Connectivity enhancement
• Long-term economic development support

Notably, the road provides improved access to the designated AML corridors and the 919-acre Gulf South Commerce Park.

While road expansions often accompany regional growth planning, the scale and timing align with the broader infrastructure readiness narrative.

📌 Source: Mandeville Bypass Project Announcement

📌 Gulf South Commerce Park site documentation

Chapter 4: The Louisiana Pattern

Louisiana has recently seen large-scale industrial recruitment follow a similar infrastructure-first model.

In 2024, Meta announced a $10 billion AI data center in Richland Parish.

Before the announcement:

• Major power upgrades were approved.
• Infrastructure investments were underway.
• Utility agreements included confidential components.

Only after foundational infrastructure was secured did the public announcement occur.

📌 Source: Official Meta / Louisiana Economic Development release

What Is Confirmed — And What Isn’t

Confirmed:

• AML corridors exist along LA-1088 and I-12.
• Cleco’s $200 million grid upgrade was approved.
• Customers are paying a resilience rider.
• Some planning exhibits are filed under seal.
• A $34 million road project is underway.
• 919 acres are marketed for advanced manufacturing.

Not Confirmed:

• No public announcement of a specific company.
• No official confirmation of a data center or manufacturing plant.
• No evidence of wrongdoing.

The Question

Are these independent improvements?

Or are they pieces of a coordinated long-term economic recruitment strategy?

Infrastructure investment often precedes major announcements. That is standard economic development practice.

But when:

• Power capacity increases dramatically,
• Industrial zoning expands,
• Heavy-duty road corridors are built,
• And large exhibits are filed confidentially…

It raises an obvious question:

What is the Northshore preparing for?