Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced plans to construct the largest artificial intelligence data center in northeast Louisiana. The $10 billion facility is expected to transform the economically challenged Richland Parish, which has a population of 20,000 and a poverty rate affecting one in four residents.
The data center, covering 4 million square feet, is projected to create 500 permanent jobs and 5,000 temporary construction positions. Completion is slated for 2030. In addition, Meta will invest $200 million in local road and water infrastructure improvements to accommodate the facility's needs.
Entergy, a major utility provider, is expediting plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana to support Meta's operations over the next 15 years. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is currently reviewing Entergy's proposal amid concerns from environmental groups about increasing fossil fuel dependency.
Meta also aims to integrate 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy into the grid in the future. While some experts warn of potential rate increases for residents due to the natural gas plants, local public service commissioner Foster Campbell expressed strong support for the project, deeming it essential for the region's development.
In related news, Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is expanding its supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, with further operations from Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer also on the horizon.