Meta announced on December 4, 2024, that it will build a $10 billion artificial intelligence data center on the former Franklin Farm megasite in Richland Parish, Louisiana, situated between Rayville and Delhi, approximately 30 miles east of Monroe. The campus will cover 4 million square feet on 2,250 acres and, at its largest point, will extend more than one mile from front to back. Louisiana Economic Development described the project as one of the largest private capital investments in the state’s history. Site work is set to begin in December 2024, with construction continuing through 2030.
What it means
The Richland Parish facility will be the largest of more than 20 Meta data centers worldwide. Meta projects 500 or more direct jobs in Richland Parish, while Louisiana Economic Development estimates more than 1,000 indirect jobs and a total of more than 1,500 new positions across the Northeast Region. At peak construction, Meta estimates 5,000 workers on site. Meta committed to invest more than $200 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water systems, and said it makes a concerted effort to source labor and materials locally.
On the energy side, Meta will work with Entergy Louisiana to bring at least 1,500 MW of new renewable energy to the grid through Entergy’s Geaux Zero program, and pledged to match its electricity use with 100% clean and renewable energy. Meta also committed up to $1 million per year to Entergy’s “The Power to Care” low-income ratepayer support program, which Entergy Louisiana will match. Meta additionally pledged to restore more water than it consumes at the site through water restoration projects in Louisiana. To support workforce development, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System committed $250,000 in Workforce Rapid Response funding to Delta Community College, which will scale up construction trades programs and develop data center operations curricula with peer institutions. Meta is expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs program and to take advantage of a sales and use tax rebate on data center equipment established under Act 730.
Key facts
- Total investment: $10 billion
- Location: former Franklin Farm megasite, Richland Parish, Louisiana — between Rayville and Delhi, approximately 30 miles east of Monroe
- Campus size: 4 million square feet on 2,250 acres; extends more than 1 mile front to back
- Direct jobs: 500 or more in Richland Parish (according to Meta); total Northeast Region jobs estimated at more than 1,500 (according to LED)
- Peak construction workforce: 5,000 workers (according to Meta)
- New renewable energy to grid: at least 1,500 MW via Entergy’s Geaux Zero program
- Local infrastructure investment: more than $200 million in roads and water systems (according to Meta)
- Meta annual contribution to Entergy’s “The Power to Care” program: up to $1 million, matched by Entergy Louisiana
- LCTCS Workforce Rapid Response funding to Delta Community College: $250,000
- Construction timeline: site work begins December 2024; construction continues through 2030
- Incentive programs: Act 730 sales and use tax rebate on data center equipment; Quality Jobs program
- Facility ranking: largest of more than 20 Meta data centers worldwide
Source: Louisiana Economic Development news release (opportunitylouisiana.gov)