MBN USA

April 09, 2025

UnFollow View Profile Send Message Copy Link

UnFollow View Profile Send Message Copy Link

The data center will be Meta’s largest in the world

Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta) and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) recently announced plans for a $10 billion artificial intelligence (AI) data center in northeast Louisiana. This transformational investment cements the state’s status as a major innovation hub and leader in the global digital revolution. 

The 4 million-square-foot data center in Richland Parish will be Meta’s largest in the world. Construction on the facility is expected to continue through 2030.

Meta projects the data center will support at least 500 direct new jobs in Richland Parish. LED estimates the project will create more than 1,000 indirect jobs for more than 1,500 potential new jobs in the Northeast Region. The company estimates 5,000 construction workers at the peak of construction on a 2,250-acre site.

“Today, Louisiana begins a new chapter. Today, we are delivering new jobs and economic growth on a scale unimaginable before we took office,” said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. “Meta’s investment establishes the region as an anchor in Louisiana’s rapidly expanding tech sector, revitalizes one of our state’s beautiful rural areas, and creates opportunities for Louisiana workers to fill high-paying jobs of the future. I thank Meta for their commitment to our state and the state legislature for positioning Louisiana to win this project by passing new tax reform legislation that attracts capital investment and improves Louisiana’s business tax climate.”

Hyperscale data centers — like the one planned for Richland Parish — are housed in huge physical structures designed to process the vast amounts of data required to support digital technologies, including AI workloads. The facility will be the largest of over 20 Meta data centers worldwide. Once operational, the Richland Parish Data Center will be optimized for Meta’s AI workloads as part of the highly advanced infrastructure that helps bring Meta’s technologies — including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads — to life.

“Meta is building the future of human connection and the technology that makes it possible. And this data center will be an important part of that mission,” said Kevin Janda, director of Meta’s data center strategy. “Richland Parish in Louisiana is an outstanding location for Meta to call home for a number of reasons. It provides great access to infrastructure, a reliable grid, a business-friendly climate, and wonderful community partners that have helped us move this project forward. We’re thrilled to be a new member of the Richland Parish community and are committed to investing in its long-term vitality.”

LED expects the project, one of the largest private capital investments in the state’s history, to spark new economic activity and investments throughout northeast Louisiana as multiple industries benefit from the billions of dollars invested. Meta makes a concerted effort to source labor and materials locally, and partners with local schools and organizations to advance science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education and digital skills that can be used to compete in the digital workforce.

“This project is an example of what Louisiana can accomplish when economic development partners play offense rather than waiting for good projects to come to them,” said LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois. “Louisiana has been actively positioning itself as a hub for AI innovation, with plans to support startups, grow a skilled workforce and shape forward-thinking policy. Meta’s historic investment is just the beginning of a bold strategy to drive economic growth through AI, expand and diversify the state’s tech sector, and prove to the world that when Louisiana says that we are ready to compete on the global stage, we mean business.”

Meta is expected to take advantage of a new Louisiana incentive program, established by Act 730, that offers qualifying projects a state and local sales and use tax rebate on the purchase or lease of data center equipment. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs program.

To power the data center – which at its largest point extends more than one mile from front to back – Entergy Corp. will add clean, efficient power plants to its system to meet growing power demands, including from the data center. 

Meta has pledged to match its electricity use with 100% clean and renewable energy and will work with Entergy to bring at least 1,500 megawatts of new renewable energy to the grid through its Geaux Zero program. In addition, Meta has committed to contributing up to $1 million a year to Entergy’s “The Power to Care” low-income ratepayer support program. Entergy Louisiana will match this figure.

“This partnership underscores Entergy Louisiana’s commitment to powering progress and driving innovation,” said Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana. “By supporting this transformational investment, we are delivering the energy needed today and building the infrastructure that will support a brighter, more sustainable future for all of Louisiana. Together, we’re laying the foundation for economic growth that will benefit future generations. We could not be prouder to play a critical role in this monumental endeavor.”

In addition to Meta’s commitment to match its electricity usage with clean and renewable energy, the company prioritizes water stewardship in its operations, including minimizing water use at its data centers. Meta has pledged to restore more water than it consumes at this data center by investing in water restoration projects in Louisiana.

To support the data center’s construction and eventual operation, Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) has committed $250,000 in Workforce Rapid Response funding to Delta Community College to develop programs and expand capacity. Delta will scale up its construction trades programs to meet the initial construction needs and partner with peer institutions experienced in developing and delivering curricula for data center operations.

Meta has also committed to invest more than $200 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water systems.  

To learn more about Meta, visit meta.com. 

To learn more about Louisiana Economic Development, visit opportunitylouisiana.gov. 

3 takeaways

1. Meta Platforms Inc. is building a $10 billion AI data center in northeast Louisiana.
2. The 4 million-square-foot data center in Richland Parish will be Meta’s largest in the world. 
3. The project is expected to result in 500 or more direct new jobs, more than 1,000 indirect jobs and 5,000 construction workers at peak.