By JIM BUTLER 

A data center may or may not locate in an England Authority sub-district created Thursday but a staging area for self-deporting illegal alien families will locate on the former airbase grounds. 

Central Louisiana’s leading industry hunter, LA Central CEO Chris Masingill, told authority members, a number of public officials and interested citizens Thursday that discussions continue with principals involved in the data proposal for a tract near Boyce. 

He assured one and all that any formal proposal for such, should it happen, will be subject to authority review, seemingly easing some transparency and accountability concerns. 

He and other speakers appeared optimistic that negotiations are heading towards a mutually beneficial conclusion, though there remains work to be done. 

They did seem to put to rest concerns about water and electricity consumption,  noting technology that allows looping, or recycling, water and power provisions that do not impact grid rates. 

The deportation staging area on the other hand seems a sure thing. 

Two buildings and 10 acres will be converted to a self-contained short-term “community” (three to five days average residency while waiting for deportation flight). 

Sonia Thompson of Compass Connections said the staging area will be the first of its kind. 

The Authority will receive a bit over a half-million dollars rent annually from the five-year contract that has an option for a second five. 

Getting the buildings residency ready will be a Compass expense and the properties revert to the Authority at conclusion of leasing.