Shreveport’s Next Big Thing? Why 50 Cent’s Deal Draws Superdome Comparisons

Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson is moving full steam ahead with plans to begin filming movie and tv productions in the Shreveport area.

But his plans are much bigger than that. He has secured a lease for the old Expo Hall from the city of Shreveport which he plans to use for a variety of purposes. He wants to host sporting events from boxing matches to basketball tournaments. But he can also use that facility as a sound stage.

He is also working on a final deal with the city for the Millennium Studios property.

We asked Governor Jeff Landry about what the state is prepared to do to help Jackson with this plan.

I can't say much because we are under a non disclosure agreement with them. But I have met with Curtis Jackson a multitude of times and what I found extremely fascinating is his idea and vision for the Shreveport-Bossier area. It kind of reminds me of when McKeithen and them decided they wanted to build the Superdome in New Orleans. They caught a lot of flack and yet once it was built it's been one of the greatest entertainment venues in the south and maybe in the country as a whole.

Landry adds: "When it comes to movie producing, a lot of people have complained, rightfully so, that they come in and they film in the state and get the tax breaks. They spend a little bit of money, but they take most of it out of the state."

READ MORE: 50 Cent Documentary on Diddy.

The Governor says that's not what Jackson is planning to do. Landry says

"What Jackson has done more than anyone else is said that he's going to put a footprint right in Louisiana where the majority of the money is going to stay in Louisiana."

But he has asked for some things from the state to help him with this deal. Governor Landry could not give us specifics on what is in this deal, we are expecting to hear more about the package in the next few weeks.

KEEL News has learned this package that Jackson is asking for could top the $50 million dollar mark. And that would be on top of the tax incentives he will be getting for film projects in the state. This money is likely aimed at helping with infrastructure and other needs connected to the Millennium Studios and Expo Hall complexes.

Landry says this is just like any other economic development deal the state does. Details can not be released until the deal with Jackson is signed off on by all parties.