Meta Corporation plans to spend billions of dollars to build an artificial intelligence data center in northern Louisiana, a move that will create hundreds of high-paying jobs locally and further enhance Louisiana’s status in the field of technology infrastructure. Downcodes editors will explain in detail the details of this large-scale project, including its economic impact, potential environmental concerns, and local government support measures.
Facebook parent company Meta plans to invest billions of dollars in building an artificial intelligence data center in northern Louisiana. The project is expected to create 300 to 500 jobs and help advance Louisiana’s position in critical technology infrastructure.
An unnamed company plans to build a "large-scale and economically transformative facility" near Richland Parish's Holly Ridge neighborhood, according to an application filed with state regulators.
Picture source note: The picture is generated by AI, and the picture authorization service provider Midjourney
Recently, economic development officials and regulators revealed that the project is actually a data center. Two sources not authorized to speak publicly said the company was Meta. Data centers are huge buildings filled with computer servers and other IT infrastructure and are an important part of driving the rapid growth of the global technology industry.
Companies such as Meta, Amazon and Microsoft are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in the United States and abroad to build these processing centers. The scale of the project is unprecedented in Louisiana, and state economic development officials hope to use new tax incentives to attract high-paying jobs. The project would also be an economic development victory for Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who is working to lower the corporate tax rate and pursue other pro-business initiatives.
Meta has not yet responded to this project. The project will cost about $5 billion to build and is expected to employ an average salary of $82,000, according to filings from utility company Entergy. Entergy is asking the Public Service Commission for approval to build three new natural gas power plants and other updated facilities at a cost of at least $3.2 billion that will power the data centers.
During a forum discussion, Public Service Commission member Eric Skmeta said the data center is expected to be operational within three years. At the same time, he mentioned that there are three other AI data center projects being planned in central Louisiana.
Tech companies are increasingly favoring Louisiana because of its low electricity rates and friendly regulatory process. However, the project has faced some pushback as it moves forward, including groups from the Sierra Club and the Southern Renewable Energy Association, who have raised concerns about the data center's reliance on fossil fuels, high water needs and how it affects electricity bills.
If approved, the data center project would transform the economy of Richland Parish, a community of about 20,000 residents that has long faced poverty. Meta expects to build the data center on a 2,250-acre agricultural land that will be surrounded by two power plants.
The Louisiana Economic Development Authority actively supports data center construction and has passed legislation to provide tax credits for data center software and equipment. The state's vocational and technical college system is working with the government to develop training courses to prepare the talent needed for the future.
Meta’s huge investment in Louisiana will not only bring economic prosperity to the local area, but also trigger discussions on sustainable development and energy consumption. The future direction of this project deserves continued attention. The editor of Downcodes will continue to report relevant progress for you.