Meta and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) have announced a US$10 billion Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre in North East Louisiana, a transformational investment that cements the state’s status as a major innovation hub and leader in the global digital revolution.
The 4 million square foot data centre, to be located 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 centre will support at least 500 direct new jobs in Richland Parish. LED estimates the project will result in the creation of more than 1,000 indirect jobs, for a total of more than 1,500 potential new jobs in the North East 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,” Governor Jeff Landry said. “Meta’s investment establishes the region as an anchor in Louisiana’s rapidly expanding tech sector, revitalises 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 to 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,” added Landry.
Hyperscaler data centres such as 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 is the largest of more than 20 Meta data centres around the world.
Once operational, the Richland Parish data centre will be optimised 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 centre will be an important part of that mission,” said Kevin Janda, Meta Director of 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 labour and materials locally, and partners with local schools and organisations to advance STEAM education and digital skills that can be used to compete in the digital workforce.
The company is expected to take advantage of a new Louisiana incentive programme, established by Act 730, that offers qualifying projects a state and local sales and use tax rebate on the purchase or lease of data centre equipment. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs programme.
To power the data centre, which at its largest point extends more than one mile from front to back, Entergy will add clean, efficient power plants to its system to meet growing power demands, including from the data centre. Meta has pledged to match its electricity use with 100% clean and renewable energy and will work with Entergy to bring at least 1,500MW of new renewable energy to the grid through its Geaux Zero programme.
In addition, Meta has committed to contribute up to US$1 million a year to Entergy’s ‘The Power to Care’ low-income ratepayer support programme, a figure that will be matched by Entergy Louisiana.
“This partnership underscores Entergy Louisiana’s commitment to powering progress and driving innovation,” Entergy Louisiana President and CEO, Phillip May said. “By supporting this transformational investment, we are not only delivering the energy needed today but also 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 generations to come. We could not be more proud to play a critical role in this monumental endeavour,” added May.
In addition to Meta’s commitment to match its electricity usage with clean and renewable energy, the company prioritises water stewardship in its operations, including minimising water use at its data centres. Meta has pledged to restore more water than it consumes at this data centre by investing in water restoration projects in Louisiana.
To support both the construction and eventual operation of the data centre, Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) has committed US$250,000 in Workforce Rapid Response funding to Delta Community College to develop programmes and expand capacity. Delta will scale up its construction trades programmes to meet the initial construction needs, and partner with peer institutions experienced in developing and delivering curricula for data centre operations.
Meta expects construction to continue through 2030 with site work beginning in December 2024. The company has also committed to invest more than US$200 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water systems.
