Richland Parish, Louisiana, has been selected as the site for Meta's newest data center, a state-of-the-art facility covering four million square feet. This will be Meta’s largest data center to date and will significantly accelerate the company’s AI progress.

Once completed, the Richland Parish Data Center will represent more than $10 billion in investment in Louisiana and will create over 500 operational jobs. Additionally, Meta is investing over $200 million in local infrastructure improvements.

Turner Construction Company, DPR Construction, and M. A. Mortenson will oversee the construction of the data center campus, with peak construction expected to involve over 5,000 workers. A focus will be placed on sourcing labor and materials locally, with significant contributions directed to the local community.

"Meta, in partnership with Turner, DPR, and Mortenson, will host information fairs at the beginning of the year for interested workers and trade contractors. Please follow each of our company Facebook pages for updates," said Ben Kaplan, Managing Director of Turner Construction Company.

Richland Parish was chosen for its excellent access to infrastructure, a reliable power grid, a business-friendly environment, and a supportive community that has been key in advancing the project.

Sustainability is a key focus for Meta in the development of the data center. In collaboration with energy partner Entergy, Meta will add enough renewable energy to the grid to cover 100% of the facility's electricity needs. Together, they plan to bring at least 1,500 megawatts of new renewable energy, including nuclear energy, to the grid.

Meta is also committed to water stewardship, aiming to reduce water usage at the site. The company is striving for a water-positive future, with a global goal to restore more water than it consumes by 2030.