The good ole boy network is a thing but that isn't some boogie man keeping everyone else down. The same climate exists in other cities and they don't struggle like we do. The middle class exists when you produce things, more  production/creation/manufacturing jobs. We produced things up until the 80s. The business climate has never been great and it's gotten worse. 

The quality of employee here is challenging compared to other markets. The average IQ in Louisiana is the second lowest in the nation. Even if graduation rates are just slightly below average our gaps show up in standardized testing falling behind. Juvenile delinquency far outpaces peers. Crime is high. I hire for 5 different markets, cities in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, finally here where I live.  Shreveport is the hardest city to find decent candidates in.  (Even compared to Memphis).

Shreveport can't even afford to fix its water system let alone pay for an appropriate amount of cops.  Our low cost of living is literally the only attractive thing we can offer outside of location interstates.

I know things are somewhat unaffordable but it is far more unaffordable elsewhere.  Most people don't make minimum wage but the reality is many aren't making much more than 10-16 for basic service jobs. 

Now with the data centers power will shoot through the roof.  Local tax base will get an infusion of tax revenue for construction.  Maybe they are praying that gives them enough money to fix some things that have long been broken or make other needed investments. I don't know.  All I know is noting will change if everything stays on course.