West Feliciana Parish Schools are poised to benefit from the massive Hut 8 data‑center project that is under construction in the parish. Superintendent Hollis Milton says the district expects to receive about one‑third of the future payments made under the parish’s agreement with the company, which could translate to roughly $30 million a year.
Potential impact on the school budget
The district currently operates on a budget of about $45 million. An additional $30 million would represent roughly two‑thirds of that amount, giving officials a rare opportunity to make significant investments in both personnel and programs.
Milton emphasized that the figure is an estimate and will depend on how quickly the data‑center is completed and assessed. “We’ve got to let the project play out,” he said, adding that the district feels confident the money will be “very significant at the end of the day.”
Priorities for the new revenue
The school system has already outlined several priorities. A major goal is to raise West Feliciana’s teacher salaries, aiming to become one of Louisiana’s highest‑paying districts. Permanent salary increases are intended to attract and retain qualified educators and staff.
Milton also said the district plans to expand its career and technical education offerings. Current programs include welding, carpentry, electrical work and ProStart cooking. With additional funds, the district hopes to add HVAC instruction and other vocational courses.
Other potential uses include expanding tutoring, gifted and talented services, athletics, arts programs, and facility upgrades. “Having more dollars allows us to look at our priorities of what we see is best for our kids and meets the future needs and what skills they’re going to need,” Milton explained.
Tax relief and long‑term stability
Perhaps most unusually, the superintendent said the data‑center revenue could eventually enable the parish to reduce local taxes while still increasing spending on employees and students. “We have the opportunity to provide salary increases, do more for students, and at the same time reduce taxes,” he said. “Rarely do you hear, ‘You’re going to get better government services, and we’re going to do it with less taxes.’”
Part of the plan is to place a portion of the money into the district’s fund balance, creating a financial cushion against future downturns and ensuring long‑term stability.
Payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes arrangement
The funding comes through a payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes agreement involving Hut 8 and the West Feliciana Industrial Development Board. Hut 8 made an upfront $10 million payment that was divided among local entities; the school system received about $5.4 million, or 54 percent of that initial sum. Future payments are expected to be split more evenly, with roughly one‑third each going to the schools, the sheriff’s office and the parish government.
Community concerns and company response
While the financial prospects are promising, some residents have voiced concerns about water usage, noise, light pollution and overall quality of life. Milton noted that Hut 8 has been responsive, investing millions in local water infrastructure and designing the facility with a closed‑loop water system. “They have been willing to come out and communicate with our public over and over again,” he said.
Overall, the superintendent believes the data‑center could be transformative for West Feliciana, offering a rare combination of higher employee pay, expanded student programs, upgraded facilities, tax relief and a stronger financial reserve—all at the same time.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
