On January 20, 2022, in conjunction with Louisianna Governor John Bel Edwards (D), American Electric Power (AEP), which manages the largest electricity transmission system in the U.S., announced plans to invest $100 million to develop a new Shreveport Transmission Control Center (STCC) in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.[1] The facility will be located in the Resilient Technology Park and will span 77,000 square feet on 30 acres. Construction is set to begin in the first quarter of 2022, with an operations date slated for mid-year 2023. Once complete, the STCC will control the operations of AEP’s transmission system in Southwest Power Pool and collaborate with the AEP Transmission Control Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, to control the operations of AEP’s transmission system in Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The facility will support both the hardware and software required to assess, monitor, and control AEP’s national transmission grid. The STCC will include a new substation, additional electric grid infrastructure, and state-of-the-art equipment. According to the press release, the project will create 20 direct new high-paying jobs and retain 20 existing jobs. In addition, the Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 63 indirect jobs. To secure the STCC project, Louisianna offered AEP an incentive package that included a $1 million performance-based award for infrastructure costs. AEP is also expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs program.

[1] https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/3540