By Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
Bossier Parish and the surrounding northwest Louisiana region could see continued job growth over the next two years, driven in part by major investments in data centers, manufacturing, energy and military-related activity, according to an economic forecast presented Friday, Oct. 9, by Dr. Loren Scott.
Scott presented his Louisiana Economic Forecast: State and MSAs 2027 and 2028, outlining projected employment growth and major economic developments across Louisiana, with a focus on the Shreveport-Bossier metropolitan statistical area.
The Shreveport-Bossier MSA, which includes Bossier, Caddo and DeSoto parishes, is projected to add 2,500 nonfarm jobs in 2027, an increase of 1.5%, and another 2,300 jobs in 2028, an increase of 1.3%. The forecast estimates the region will have about 171,600 nonfarm jobs in 2026.
Scott’s outlook points to several major projects and employers expected to influence the local economy, including Amazon’s planned data centers, Barksdale Air Force Base, the Cyber Research Park in Bossier City and companies operating at the Port of Caddo-Bossier.
Amazon’s planned three data centers represent an estimated $18 billion investment in the metropolitan area. The facilities are projected to employ a combined 750 people, with wages at or above 150% of Louisiana’s average wage, according to the forecast.
Amazon’s local presence also includes a robotic fulfillment center that has grown from an initially projected $200 million investment to a $1 billion facility. The center currently employs about 2,200 people, with another 300 jobs expected during 2027 and 2028.
Bossier City’s Cyber Research Park is another area Scott identified for potential employment growth. General Dynamics, which employs about 1,400 people at the park, is expected to increase its workforce to 1,600 by 2028 after renewing its lease for another 10 years.
The forecast also identifies four potential projects at the Cyber Research Park that could bring additional jobs, including projects projected to create 150 jobs each, another with 50 jobs and a fourth with 500 jobs. Those figures depend on the projects moving forward.
Barksdale Air Force Base remains a major part of the area’s economic foundation. The base employed approximately 9,335 military and civilian workers, according to the report. In 2025, military and civilian payroll totaled about $654.1 million, with another $573.4 million in operating expenses, representing an estimated $1.2 billion in annual economic activity for the metropolitan area.
Manufacturing and distribution businesses at the Port of Caddo-Bossier are also projected to expand. Companies at the port employed about 2,267 people, with that number expected to grow to 2,392 by 2028. The report projects approximately $80 million in capital expansion projects among port businesses over the next two years.
Planned projects include a $30 million expansion at Benteler Steel, a $30 million expansion at Morris Dickson and equipment upgrades at OMNI. Sports South has also increased its workforce, while Pratt Industries has capital projects underway and additional investment planned.
The forecast also points to the Haynesville Shale as a potential source of regional economic activity as demand for natural gas grows, particularly from liquefied natural gas export projects and power generation for data centers.
Although the Shreveport-Bossier area is projected to experience job growth, Scott’s forecast notes that employment would still remain below the region’s 2008 peak by the end of 2028.
The outlook identifies Bossier’s data center development, military presence and established manufacturing and technology employers as important factors shaping the area’s economic prospects over the next two years.