Meta expands AI data center in Louisiana, boosting investment to over $50 billion

Meta has already contracted more than $1.6 billion with local Louisiana businesses for infrastructure and construction projects. The company is collaborating with general contractors DPR Construction, Turner Construction Company, and Mortenson Construction to prioritize local hiring and workforce development.

To expand these opportunities, Meta is providing $5 million to Louisiana Delta Community College, marking the largest gift in the institution's history. The funding will establish scholarships for local residents training for data center roles. Beginning with the high school class, all Richland Parish graduates will qualify for full scholarships covering data center-related trade certificates or courses. Meta is also making Source Louisiana, the state portal for subcontracting, the default platform for companies seeking work at the site. Furthermore, local tax revenues from the project allowed Richland Parish teachers to receive yearly bonus checks that were 400% higher than the previous year.

The company has invested over $1 billion in local infrastructure improvements, including roads, water, and wastewater systems. Through direct giving and its Data Center Community Action Grants, Meta has supported every public school and multiple youth programs in the parish. Notable investments include 12 grants awarded to local schools and the Richland Parish 4-H club, alongside a $300,000 contribution to the Richland Revitalization Board for parks and community facilities. Other supported organizations include the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, the Richland Voluntary Council on Aging, and the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum.

In response to Winter Storm Fern earlier this year, Meta and its contractors mobilized to house hundreds of utility linemen and distributed food vouchers and 1,600 lunches to local families in partnership with the Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce and Cool Kids Inc.

On the sustainability front, Meta's agreement with Entergy will fund seven new natural gas-fueled generating plants, three grid-scale batteries, nuclear uprates, and other purchased power. Meta is also contributing $215 million to Entergy's Power to Care and residential energy efficiency programs, while committing to help fund up to 2.5 gigawatts of renewable energy. The Richland Parish Data Center will match 100% of its energy use with clean energy and aim for LEED Gold certification. Water stewardship efforts include partnerships with Ducks Unlimited and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation on wetland restoration through the Flyaway Forest program, alongside infrastructure upgrades at the Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area.