SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
DEMOCRAT THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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A rendering of the $12 billion data center proposed for West Feliciana Parish. Parish officials are set to vote on the rezoning for the project at their Jan. 6 meeting. Parish President Kenny Havard said the facility will be ‘life-changing’ for the region.
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W e d n e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 11, 2024
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Clinton celebrates A Southern Christmas
‘Life changing’ $12B data center planned in West Feliciana BY TIMOTHY BOONE Business editor
A $12 billion artificial intelligence data center that will create “several hundred” permanent jobs is coming to West Feliciana Parish, according to Parish President Kenny Havard. “This is life-changing for the region,” Havard said. “A rising tide lifts all boats.” West Feliciana officials are set to vote on plans for the Hut 8 AI data center at their Jan. 6 meeting. According to documents being circulated in West Feliciana, Hut 8 plans to build the data center on a 611-acre parcel off La. Highway 964 on the southern end of the parish. The first phase would consist of two 450,000- square-foot buildings that would house data servers and create thousands of direct and indirect construction jobs. More than 50 permanent jobs would be created for network and server technicians and maintenance staff. Plans are to complete the first building by the end of 2025 and the second before the end of 2026. Future phases could triple the size of the operations and could lead to the construction of a power plant to meet the utility needs of the operation, Havard said. Hut 8 operates Bitcoin mining facilities and data centers at 20 sites across the U.S. and Canada. The company is named after the building where pioneering computer scientist Alan Turing created the machines that cracked the Enigma code during World War II. This enabled the Allies to intercept messages from the Germans and caused U.S. and British forces to win battles. Talk of a large scale data center has been swirling around West Feliciana for more than a year. In November 2023, Havard announced the parish had sold 107-acre site in its industrial park for $500,000 for a business that would be a tremendous boost for the local economy. Last month, while parish officials were discussing building a rodeo arena in the West Feliciana sports park, Havard said he wanted to wait “until
One of the stops for free hot chocolate, this one provided by RKM.
PHOTOS BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
W
ith the crowd waiting in anticipation and a brief countdown, the lights were turned on Dec. 6 at the East Feliciana Parish Courthouse kicking off A Southern Christmas in Clinton celebration. A prayer was said beforehand and the hymn “Silent Night” was sung. This year’s tree, the other decorations and the overall experience prompted a voice in the crowd to say “it’s like a Hallmark Christmas movie.” The decorations were provided by the East Feliciana Police Jury. Even the weather cooperated, cold but dry, and young and old alike were dressed warmly as they enjoyed the Christmas festivities. Santa was on hand across the street to listen to kids’ requests and the Grinch was spotted more than once.
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Carmen and Sal Tenni, of Clinton, with granddaughter Chloe Bruce at the tree
ä See CLINTON, page 2G lighting Dec. 6 in Clinton.
White Light Christmas Shopping set in Jackson
BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer
Jackson’s White Light Christmas Shopping festivities will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 14 primarily in and near the old Pipes-McKowen building on Charter Street in the historic downtown area. Inviting all to come, event coordinator Ginger Goudeay said it promises to be “a jolly event” in a charming, small-town setting. A great variety of items suit-
able for Christmas gifts and more will be offered by vendors along with the addition of several food trucks, she said. The Pipes-McKowen building will house many of the vendors inside. More vendors will be outside in the front. The building, built circa 1904, was for many years the larger of the two display buildings where the Jackson Assembly, a historic preservation organization, held its annual Antiques Show and Sale. With the demise of that event,
the building was purchased in 2021 by Jackson native Leroy Harvey. It was appropriately refurbished, in keeping with the building’s character and modernized by February 2023, according to a spokesperson. It was also during that time that it was connected by a passageway to the Old Centenary Inn, another Harvey property. Santa will make an appearance at Old Centenary Inn from 10 a.m. until noon and later in the day, from 5 p.m. until, Santa will
also visit the Cotton Fields Coffee Shop, Goudeau said. Five is just about the time the white lights will come on and join the other colorful Christmas decorations in the historic little town, she said. The Blue Frog, which is just across the street, and Southern Belle Antiques, which is just down the street, will also be open the same hours as the special event, extending the Christmas shopping opportunities there. Goudeau encouraged visitors to visit all the shops and eateries
while in town. Some of the items that vendors will be offering are artwork, jewelry, ornaments from Eastern Europe, soaps, wooden birdhouses and crosses, flower bulbs, pottery, antiques, cookies, embroidered items, Christmas items and more, Godeau said. The event is sponsored by the Jackson Tourism Enhancement Committee under the Town of Jackson’s Historic District Commission. For more information, call (225) 933-4911.
Send a postcard, help a class Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
A Facebook update said Regan Tutor’s class at West Feliciana Middle School is closing in on its postcard goals. A photo online showed that Idaho, Arizona, Nebraska, Indiana, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island are still missing. Do you have a friend or family member who can help? Please mail postcards to West Feliciana Middle School, ATTN: Ms. Tutor, PO Box 690, Saint Francisville, LA 70775 The unit is called “Across the Miles.” The students are studying maps, landmarks, weather and more across the U.S.
Live Nativity in Jackson Jackson United Methodist church will have a Live Nativity at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18. The nativity will be on the church lawn. The public is invited.
Renew or join historical society The West Feliciana Historical Society Museum reminds current and future members that all membership fees are due by Dec. 31. Stop by or call (225) 635-6330 to get on the member list. This year, all
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Regan Tutor’s class at West Feliciana Middle School is very close to ä See AROUND, page 2G meeting its goal on its postcard project.