Get our free mobile app

What is "Project Cosmeaux" and why is it important to the future of Shreveport? It could actually be a big step forwards for a Shreveport economy that has still been tying to claw back from the closures of facilities belonging to AT&T and General Motors decades ago.

Between AT&T and GM, nearly 10,000 employees directly lost their jobs over a 20 year period. Most have never been replaced in the Shreveport area.

But a new project could bring the potential for thousands of jobs in the city of Shreveport.

Over the last few months, there have been rumblings, rumors, and non-disclosure agreements, revolving around a secretive concept called "Project Cosmeaux". The belief is that this project has something to do with the massive online retailer Amazon. Which now appears to be the case.

Amazon To Open New Fulfillment Center In Sacramento
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
loading...

KEEL News has obtained documents related to permit applications filed with Shreveport for "Project Cosmeaux", a 3.5 million square foot building just off North Market Street in Shreveport, near the Caddo Correction Center. The permits involve at least 4 consulting firms, an architect, and real estate company listed as the owner. That real estate company listed is Duke Realty, which Forbes says is very well tied to Amazon. Forbes says:

"Amazon is Duke’s No. 1 tenant, and Duke knows its best customer well, having teamed up with it for more than a decade..."

Now this alone doesn't mean that Amazon are the ones behind the mysterious "Project Cosmeaux". Duke Realty has a couple other major clients, including Wayfair, Home Depot, and Target. All of which would also make large splashes in the Shreveport jobs market.

However KTBS has reported some interesting quotes from public officials around Shreveport that also point towards Amazon being responsible for "Project Cosmeaux". Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission Executive Director Alan Clarke told KTBS that he expects an announcement about Amazon coming to Shreveport in the next couple of weeks. Clarke also told KTBS:

“I believe there is a strong possibility if we handle ourselves properly…I think there is going to be some good news that will come out of this”

Amazon Hosts Jobs Day Across US To Hire 50,000 For Its Fulfillment Centers
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
loading...

Amazon is no stranger to expanding in Louisiana. The company recently placed an Amazon Sorting Facility in Carencro in Lafayette Parish. That facility has started their hiring blitz this week. According to reports from KLFY-TV, the expected economic impact of the Carencro facility is $271 million in the first year. But that facility is only 1 million square feet, roughly one third of the potential Shreveport facility.

If "Project Cosmeaux" is what it feels like it is, this will become one of the biggest positive economic development stories Shreveport has had in decades.

 

Read More: Top 10 Beers Made in Louisiana

More From News Radio 710 KEEL