Copyright New York Post
Music and business mogul Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson is investing big in Shreveport, Louisiana. Jackson’s bold plans to foster the city’s film and entertainment scene have earned him the key to the city and roughly 20 new properties to his name, the Daily Mail reported. Locals and city officials are eager to see if Jackson’s multimillion-dollar commitments can bring in new jobs and fresh capital, but results remain to be seen. Jackson hit the ground running in Shreveport in 2023 when he announced plans to bring G-Unit Films and Television Inc. there. The rapper’s film and television production company is best known for the Starz series “Power,” which aired from 2014 to 2020. “Bringing G-Unit Studios to Shreveport is not just a business decision,” Jackson previously told Billboard, describing his investment as a commitment to the community. “We see Shreveport as a beacon of inspiration and creativity,” he told the outlet. He made a splash in 2024 with a four-day charity event, dubbed Humor and Harmony weekend, which drew in celebrities like Dave Chappelle, Flo Rida and 2 Chainz to the city. The city, once a booming oil town, ranked among the country’s most needy cities in a 2024 WalletHub study. Despite a population of just 186,000, the city’s murder rate hovers slightly above that of Washington, DC, according to a USA Facts analysis of CDC data. Yet Shreveport offers eagle-eyed investors like Jackson cheap real estate and low taxes. Jackson and his partners have made enormous commitments to the city over the last two years. His company signed a lease with downtown Shreveport’s Millennium Studios building in early 2024, according to KSLA, although little to no activity has been documented at the studio. The studio originally planned to open its doors this year, according Shreveport’s tourism website. When the issue was raised at a recent city council meeting, a member cited repeated flooding issues at the building, KSLA reported. A representative for Jackson hinted at a live studio audience-style show in development by G-Unit, as well as a show called Shreveport Justice that will include the local sheriff, police department and “folks that guard the bayous and the waters.” Earlier this year, the city approved another lease agreement between Jackson’s G-Unit and the StageWorks Louisiana building, KTAL reported, with plans to turn the facility into an entertainment and sports hub. The lease includes a 15-year renewal option and a monthly rent of $200. Gerod Durden of Durden Property Group told KTAL that Jackson has become the city’s largest private property owner, securing “in the range of 20 properties.” Jackson’s ambitious property acquisitions have included a $1.02 million property with multiple lots in the center of downtown Shreveport, according to the Daily Mail, as well as one $76,872 vacant lot on which he’s installed a temporary dome. Orville Hall, a growth adviser for G-Unit Studios, told the the local Economic Development Committee in August that the company plans to build a permanent “G-Dome” in its place, KSLA reported. Jackson enjoyed a recent win when the city’s council approved a new economic district downtown, nicknamed the “50 Cent Economic District,” according to Keel, which would implement a 2% sales tax in certain areas. The district is not expected to generate meaningful revenue until 2027, Keel reported, but Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed optimism. “We haven’t had to spend a penny for it,” Arceneaux told the outlet. “If we see a renaissance of downtown and the entertainment district, all the boats will rise with the rising tide.” When Arceneaux gave Jackson a key to the city in 2024, Jackson told attendees “I promise you, I’ll overdeliver with Shreveport.”
