AGP Executive Report

Data Center Debate: New Orleans planners urged the City Council to extend the construction pause for data centers by six months and consider a 1,000-foot buffer from homes, as residents raised concerns about power and water demands. Rare-Earth Industry: Aclara completed basic engineering for a planned Louisiana heavy rare-earth separation facility, moving the project closer to construction and strengthening the state’s role in critical-minerals processing. Tech Careers: Amazon is building data centers in Caddo and Bossier parishes and plans student outreach and a paid apprenticeship to prepare local workers for jobs in the facilities. Sports Medicine: LSU football players are set to test sideline saliva screening for concussions, exploring a faster way to identify possible head injuries. Coastal Monitoring: High-altitude balloon imaging found Louisiana and Mississippi barrier islands eroding at least 15 feet a year, showing how new aerial surveys can track rapid shoreline change.

Medical Research: Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine won preliminary accreditation, clearing the New Orleans school to recruit its first class of about 50 students for a planned 2027 opening. Robotics: Shreveport is bringing autonomous electric mowers to two city golf courses, a first for a Louisiana golf operation, to ease staffing needs and improve course maintenance. AI in Energy: Engineering firm 1898 & Co. is testing an AI tool with Cleco to help staff find decades of scattered records at a repowered Louisiana plant. Climate Technology: Northwestern State University received $1.5 million to develop flood-risk assessments for historic sites, using GIS mapping and LiDAR scans to create detailed 3D models. Critical Minerals: Aclara completed basic engineering for its planned $494 million rare-earth processing facility at the Port of Vinton, advancing the project toward construction.

Energy and Data Centers: A new Louisiana energy report urges an “all of the above” strategy as electricity demand grows, warning that relying mainly on natural gas could expose customers to price swings. It calls for reliable clean power and grid investment to balance affordability with economic growth. Coastal Research: A Baton Rouge-based Water Institute study found that restoring 60 acres of marsh on Alabama’s Dauphin Island lowered wave heights and water levels—findings that could guide Louisiana projects and help insurers better account for reduced flood risk. Space Science: A UL Lafayette researcher is studying how water behaves on the moon, with possible applications for future lunar farming.

Health-Tech Education: LSUA and LSU Health Shreveport have created a six-year bachelor’s-to-physical-therapy doctorate pathway, letting eligible students save a year and study in Shreveport or through a hybrid program based in Lafayette. Biotech: Six companies will compete for $100,000 in New Orleans, bringing attention to the region’s startup scene. AI & Energy: A disclosure about Meta’s planned Louisiana data center has surfaced its substantial peak power needs, raising questions about the strain AI growth could place on the state’s grid. Critical Materials: Aclara completed basic engineering for a Louisiana facility to separate heavy rare earths, advancing plans for a U.S. supply chain. Space Science: A UL Lafayette researcher is studying how water behaves on the Moon to help inform future lunar farming. Research & Defense Tech: Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette are expanding research ties, while Fort Johnson’s Army unmanned-systems program and a Baton Rouge defense-tech initiative signal growing local work in autonomous systems.

Data Center Power: Entergy Louisiana’s CEO revealed that Meta’s planned Richland Parish data center could draw 4,500 megawatts—about four times New Orleans’ peak demand. Consumer advocates are questioning whether the costly grid upgrades could leave other ratepayers exposed. SpaceX’s Gulf Coast Plans: State records describe a proposed shipping complex in Vermilion Parish, with major docks and 15.5 miles of heavy-haul roads. Pecan Island residents have also pressed the company over ecological damage and lost local access tied to its launch plans. Critical Minerals: Aclara completed basic engineering for a Louisiana facility to separate heavy rare earths, with construction targeted for completion in 2028, subject to financing. Research: A UL Lafayette researcher is studying how water behaves on the Moon, knowledge that could help future lunar farming; Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette are also expanding research collaborations.

Defense Technology: Fort Johnson will become an Army test bed for unmanned systems under Project LAUNCH Box, with Forterra integrating autonomous equipment for training at the Joint Readiness Training Center. Medical Technology: LCMC Health says it is the only Louisiana system offering robotic-assisted MIDCAB, a less-invasive bypass option for selected heart patients. AI and Energy: Entergy Louisiana’s CEO has highlighted the peak power demand of Meta’s AI data center, while a Tulane energy forum examined AI’s growing role in state investment. Space Research: A UL Lafayette researcher’s experiment aboard a Blue Origin suborbital rocket found that water behaves differently in lunar gravity—insight that could guide irrigation for future moon farms. Advanced Manufacturing: Ruston is preparing for the state’s first microchip manufacturing facility, part of a broader push to attract major employers through infrastructure investment.

Autonomous Systems: Forterra was selected to integrate unmanned systems at Fort Polk’s Joint Readiness Training Center, bringing equipment from multiple vendors onto a shared network for Army exercises. AI Infrastructure: Hut 8’s River Bend data center is under construction in St. Francisville, part of the expanding AI buildout that is drawing businesses to Louisiana worksites. Biotech: New Orleans hosted the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s annual meeting, where companies presented new clinical-trial results for treatments targeting vision loss and eye disease. Research and Space: Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette are expanding research collaborations, while UL Lafayette is adding space-focused programs. SpaceX also has plans for a Louisiana spaceport and coastal wharf. Connectivity and Startups: Louisiana has broken ground on its largest federally funded fiber build, and a new defense-tech initiative aims to serve Baton Rouge startups and small businesses.

Medical Research: New Orleans’ American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting featured promising early results for Claris Biotherapeutics’ treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency, alongside yearlong trial updates on other investigational eye therapies. AI & Society: Loyola University researchers are studying how young adults think AI affects faith, ethics and work; a $75,000 planning grant could lead to a five-year, $2.5 million study. Louisiana Innovation: Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette are expanding research partnerships, while UL Lafayette adds space-focused study programs. Space & Connectivity: SpaceX plans a Louisiana coastal spaceport and supporting infrastructure, and the state has broken ground on its largest federally funded fiber build. Tech for Resilience: Tiny drones are helping Shell address hurricane-related challenges, while a new Baton Rouge initiative aims to support defense-tech startups and small businesses.

AI & Society: Loyola University researchers are studying how young adults see artificial intelligence affecting faith, spirituality and their digital future, with a larger five-year project proposed. Offshore Technology: Shell plans to use drones to inspect Gulf platforms after hurricanes, aiming to restart production sooner and reduce costly delays. Medical Research: New eye-treatment trial results presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in New Orleans showed investigational therapies improved vision in patients with retinal conditions; a portable glaucoma-testing device was also unveiled. Louisiana Research: Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette are expanding research collaborations, while LSU researchers are using AI to predict and model wildfires. Advanced Manufacturing: A rare-earth metals demonstration plant in Chile is testing technology intended to inform a planned industrial facility in Louisiana.

Offshore Innovation: Shell plans to install drones on a Gulf platform about 130 miles south of New Orleans to inspect facilities sooner after hurricanes. The company says faster restarts could save nearly $50 million over three years. Medical Technology: At an ophthalmology meeting in New Orleans, companies introduced new tools for glaucoma testing, including a portable visual-field device and an automated perimeter. Corza Medical also announced a new manufacturing process for microsurgical knives. Louisiana Research: Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette are expanding research collaborations, while LSU researchers are using AI to predict and model wildfires. Northwest Louisiana Growth: Amazon’s planned data centers are among the projects expected to drive jobs in the Shreveport-Bossier area; the three facilities represent an estimated $18 billion investment and are projected to employ about 750 people.

Eye-Care Technology: At the AAO meeting in New Orleans, Haag-Streit launched its Octopus 910 visual-field tester in the U.S., while Corza Medical introduced expanded surgical packs and an automated process for making microsurgical knives. Research & Training: Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette expanded research collaborations, and UL Lafayette is adding space-focused programs. A $1.39 million state grant will also bring simulation labs to three rural hospitals to train healthcare students and staff. Digital Infrastructure: Louisiana broke ground on its largest BEAD-funded fiber build, while a new defense-tech initiative aims to support Baton Rouge startups and small businesses. Space & Industry: SpaceX plans a Louisiana coastal spaceport and a major wharf-and-road network. Statewide, data centers, LNG and other projects are expected to drive job growth. Storm Science: Hurricane Isaias rapidly intensified over record-warm Gulf waters before threatening the northern Gulf Coast, underscoring risks from fast-strengthening storms.

Research & STEM: Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette are expanding joint projects in energy, materials and advanced manufacturing, including work tied to NASA. AI & Power: Louisiana’s data-center growth is raising grid concerns, with utilities considering cuts to data-center power during peak demand and Entergy facing questions over a proposed Meta expansion. Cybersecurity: LSU hosted a summit on legal barriers to strengthening public-sector cyber defenses. Space & Industry: SpaceX plans a Louisiana coast spaceport with major wharf and road infrastructure, while a new Baton Rouge initiative aims to support defense-tech startups. Broadband: Louisiana has broken ground on its largest federally funded fiber build. Climate Science: LSU researchers earned recognition for AI wildfire technology as Hurricane Isaias rapidly intensified over unusually warm Gulf waters, bringing coastal storm risks into focus.

Gulf Energy: Hurricane Isaias has forced offshore evacuations and halted oil and gas production as it bears down on the Gulf Coast. Broadband: REV Fiber has broken ground on a state-funded build that will connect 2,840 locations in East Baton Rouge Parish; Louisiana’s goal is 15,000 BEAD-funded connections by early 2027. Space Industry: SpaceX is proposing a Vermilion Parish launch site with a major wharf, bridge and 15.5-mile road. UL Lafayette is also adding space-focused programs for students. AI Research: LSU researchers are using artificial intelligence to predict and model wildfires, earning national recognition for the work. Data Center Power: Entergy is making the case for expanding Meta’s Louisiana data center, while opponents question the costs and impacts of the project’s electricity demand.

Gulf Storm Science: Hurricane Isaias rapidly strengthened to Category 2 over unusually warm Gulf waters, raising life-threatening storm-surge risks. LSU climatologist Barry Keim said above-normal Gulf temperatures helped create favorable conditions for intensification. Spaceport Debate: Pecan Island residents pressed SpaceX on ecological damage, flooding and access as plans for Starbase Louisiana advance; the company acknowledged that frequent launches could block local access. Aerospace Workforce: UL Lafayette plans new aerospace engineering, autonomous-systems and space-computing programs for fall 2027 to prepare students for Louisiana’s growing space sector. Research & Resilience: LSU researchers are using AI to model wildfires, and the university received $20 million to build an X-ray research facility. Cybersecurity: An LSU summit brought students, industry leaders and officials together to discuss legal hurdles that can slow cyberattack investigations and response.

Data Center Power: Entergy defended plans for seven new gas-fired plants and related infrastructure to serve Meta’s north Louisiana data center, which is expected to use 4,500 megawatts—about four times New Orleans’ demand. Critics challenged the costs at a state hearing, while a separate LDEQ hearing drew comments on proposed Richland Parish power units. AI Research: LSU researchers are using artificial intelligence to predict and model wildfires, bringing new tools to a growing hazard. Defense Technology: Textron Systems won a $230 million Navy contract for two ship-to-shore craft to be built at its New Orleans shipyard. Research Infrastructure: LSU received $20 million to build an X-ray facility aimed at closing a critical research gap; LSU Health also launched a radiation oncology department. Storm Watch: Hurricane Isaias is moving toward the northern Gulf Coast, with heavy rain and flooding possible; energy producers have already cut some offshore output. Agriculture: An invasive pasture mealybug is browning Louisiana sugarcane as harvest gets underway.

Gulf Storm Watch: Isaias is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane before reaching the northern Gulf Coast Friday or Saturday. Track forecasts remain uncertain, with southeast Louisiana among the areas being watched. Drone Training: Northwestern State University won a $544,516 FAA grant to expand drone training, including a dual-enrollment pathway for more than 100 high schools and courses for first responders and veterans. AI and Energy: Entergy Louisiana’s CEO disclosed that Meta’s Richland Parish data center could draw 4,500 megawatts—about four times New Orleans’ peak demand. The utility says its agreement protects other customers from infrastructure costs, a claim challenged by consumer and science groups. Wildfire Research: LSU’s DeepFire team earned a $100,000 XPRIZE recognition for AI tools that can predict fire risk, detect early signs and model wildfire spread. Cancer Care: LSU Health New Orleans is launching its first academic radiation oncology department, led by a recruited physician-scientist, to expand treatment, research and training. Science Meets Film: Shreveport’s Sci-Port is opening Film-Port, an interactive exhibit where visitors can try green-screen effects, stop-motion animation and sound design.