Meta chooses Northeast Louisiana to build $13 billion AI data center
An artist’s rendering shows what the Meta Data Center will look like once finished in rural Richland Parish. The $13 billion project was announced this week as a huge economic windfall for Northeast Louisiana. Courtesy graphic
Northeast Louisiana is set to experience a generational economic transformation as Meta unveils plans to invest over $13 billion in a stateof- the-art data center in Richland Parish. This groundbreaking project is projected to result in 500 or more direct new jobs, more than 1,000 indirect jobs and 5,000 construction workers at peak. A project of this magnitude positions the region as a prime location for global technological investment.
“ Today, Louisiana begins a new chapter. Today, we are delivering new jobs and economic growth on a scale unimaginable before we took office,” Gov. Jeff Landry said. “ 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 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.”
Meta selected Richland Parish for its reliable, low- cost energy, flat and developable land, and Louisiana’s business-friendly environment, championed by Governor Landry. The data center will act as a catalyst for the local economy, opening opportunities for further developments across Northeast Louisiana.
“ This project will create a transformational change for the residents of the entire Northeast Louisiana region,” said Rob Cleveland, President of Grow NELA. “Meta’s commitment to Richland Parish is the result of more than 20 years of investment and partnership by Louisiana Economic Development, property owners, and community leaders, all focused on creating new jobs for local residents. On behalf of the residents of Northeast Louisiana, we want to thank Meta and Entergy for their vision and investment in our community.”
The success of this project is the direct result of a collaborative effort among Meta, Entergy Louisiana, Louisiana Economic Development, Grow NELA, as well as state, regional, & local stakeholders. 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 is dedicated to fostering long-term economic growth and community vitality in the regions where they operate by creating local jobs, partnering with local businesses, and supporting educational institutions.
“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,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “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 Louisi-ana says that we are ready to compete on the global stage, we mean business.”
Hyperscaler data centers like the one planned for Richland Parish are massive facilities designed to process the enormous data needs of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence workloads. Meta’s data center, the largest of its more than 20 worldwide, will extend over one mile in length at its peak.
To ensure the local workforce is prepared for both the construction and operation of the facility, Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) has committed $250,000 in Workforce Rapid Response funding to Louisiana Delta Community College. These funds will help scale construction trades programs to meet immediate needs and develop specialized curricula for data center operations in partnership with experienced peer institutions.
Meta expects construction to continue through 2030 with site work beginning in December. The company has also committed to invest more than $200 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water systems.
The company 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. Meta is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs program.
For more information about this project and how it will shape the future of Northeast Louisiana, please visit www. neladatacenter. com or contact info@ neladatacenter. com.
