Meta and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) announced a $10 billion investment in an artificial intelligence-optimized data center in northeast Louisiana. This project, featuring a 4 million square foot facility, aims to create significant jobs and strengthen the local economy.

The new Metadata center is projected to bring at least 500 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs to the area, with peak construction involving 5,000 workers across a 2,250-acre site in Richland Parish. Construction is expected to continue through 2030.

Governor Jeff Landry emphasized the project’s economic impact, stating, “Meta's investment establishes the region as an anchor in Louisiana's rapidly expanding tech sector,” and thanked local leaders for supporting tax reform that enabled this investment.

Hyperscaler data centers, such as the one proposed, are vital for processing large amounts of data and supporting digital technologies, including AI workloads. Upon completion, the Richland Parish data center will be Meta's largest globally and will facilitate services for its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

Kevin Janda, Meta's Director of Data Center Strategy, praised Richland Parish for its infrastructure, reliable power grid, and local partnerships that have facilitated the project's progress.

LED anticipates the investment will stimulate further economic activity in northeast Louisiana and promote local workforce development through initiatives targeting STEAM education and digital skills. LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois remarked on Louisiana's proactive approach to attracting capital investment, with Meta's project marking a significant step in the state's AI innovation strategy.

As part of its commitment to energy sustainability, Meta plans to match its electricity usage with 100% clean and renewable energy, collaborating with Entergy Louisiana to enhance the local energy grid. This initiative includes a significant contribution to Entergy's low-income assistance program.

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) is investing $250,000 in workforce training to prepare local workers for upcoming construction and operational roles at the new data center, which will also involve a $200 million investment in local infrastructure improvements.

Meta expects to commence site work as early as December, marking the start of a project that aims to redefine the technology landscape in Louisiana.