Facebook Parent Company Meta Announces $10 Billion AI Data Center in Louisiana
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has selected Richland Parish in northeast Louisiana as the site for a new $10 billion artificial intelligence (AI) data center. The project, one of the largest private capital investments in Louisiana’s history, is expected to transform the region into a hub for innovation and create thousands of jobs.
The 4-million-square-foot data center will be located on the 2,250-acre former Franklin Farm megasite, between Rayville and Delhi, approximately 30 miles east of Monroe. At the peak of construction, the project is set to employ 5,000 workers, with over 500 permanent jobs anticipated once operational. The ripple effect is expected to generate more than 1,000 indirect jobs, a huge boost to the local economy.
“This project marks the beginning of a new chapter for Louisiana,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Meta’s investment not only strengthens our state’s burgeoning tech sector but also revitalizes a rural area while creating opportunities for Louisiana workers to secure high-paying jobs of the future.”
Meta’s data center will be fueled by clean and renewable energy in partnership with Entergy Louisiana, aiming to add 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy to the grid. The company has also committed to water stewardship and infrastructure investments, including $200 million for roads and water systems in the region.
The Louisiana Community and Technical College System will provide $250,000 in funding to Delta Community College to develop training programs tailored to the center’s construction and operational needs. Local officials, including Richland Parish Supervisor Joey Evans, praised the collaborative effort that secured the project.
Construction is slated to begin in December, with completion expected by 2030. Meta’s investment is projected to spark further economic growth and position northeast Louisiana as a competitive player in the global AI and tech industry.
See more details in the official release from Opportunity Louisiana.