- Project is expected to result in 500 or more direct new
jobs, more than 1,000 indirect jobs and 5,000 construction workers
at peak.
- Expansive technology campus will occupy 4 million square
feet on 2,250 acres in Richland
Parish.
- Entergy worked with Meta to address energy needs, and Meta
will match its electricity use with 100% clean and renewable
energy.
RICHLAND
PARISH, La., Dec. 4, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Today, Meta and Louisiana Economic Development
(LED) announced a $10 billion
artificial intelligence data center in northeast 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
center, 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 center 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 Northeast Region. The company estimates 5,000
construction workers at 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,
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."
Hyperscaler data centers 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 Artificial
Intelligence (AI) workloads. The facility is the largest of more
than 20 Meta data centers around the world. Once operational, the
Richland Parish Data Center will be optimized 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 center 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 labor and materials locally, and partners with local schools
and organizations to advance STEAM education and digital skills
that can be used to compete in the digital workforce.
"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 Louisiana says that we are ready to compete on
the global stage, we mean business."
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. The company is also expected to participate in the
state's Quality Jobs program.
To power the data center, 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 center. Meta has pledged to match its
electricity use with 100% clean and renewable energy and will be
working with Entergy to bring at least 1,500 MW of new renewable
energy to the grid through its Geaux Zero program. In addition,
Meta has committed to contribute up to $1
million a year to Entergy's "The Power to Care" low-income
ratepayer support program, 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 endeavor."
In addition to Meta's commitment to match its electricity usage
with clean and renewable energy, the company prioritizes water
stewardship in its operations, including minimizing water use at
its data centers. Meta has pledged to restore more water than it
consumes at this data center by investing in water restoration
projects in Louisiana.
To support both the construction and eventual operation of the
data center, Louisiana Community
and Technical College System (LCTCS) has committed $250,000 in Workforce Rapid Response funding to
Delta Community College to develop
programs and expand capacity. Delta will scale up its construction trades
programs to meet the initial construction needs, and partner with
peer institutions experienced in developing and delivering
curricula for data center operations.
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.
About LED
Louisiana Economic Development is
responsible for driving capital investment, job creation and
economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana and employers of all sizes. Explore
how LED is positioning Louisiana
to win at OpportunityLouisiana.com.
About Entergy Louisiana
Entergy Louisiana, LLC
provides electric service to more than 1 million customers in 58
parishes and natural gas service to more than 94,000 customers in
Baton Rouge. Entergy Louisiana is
a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500
company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through its
operating companies in Arkansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. It is investing in the reliability, and
resilience and growth of the energy system while helping the region
transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots
in Louisiana communities for more
than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in
sustainability and corporate citizenship delivering more than
$100 million in local economic
benefits each year through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy.
Entergy is headquartered in New
Orleans, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more
at Entergy-Louisiana.com.
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meta-selects-northeast-louisiana-as-site-of-10-billion-artificial-intelligence-optimized-data-center-that-will-be-companys-largest-in-the-world-302322851.html
SOURCE Louisiana Economic Development