Meta Commits $10 Billion for AI Data Center in Northeast Louisiana

Rendering of Meta's Data Center that is to be built on Northeast Louisiana.

Meta Platforms has selected a site in Richland Parish for its largest-ever artificial intelligence data center, with an estimated capital investment of $10 billion.

The data center will encompass approximately 4 million square feet on a 2,250-acre tract known locally as the Franklin Farm Megasite, located near Rayville and Delhi.

At peak, the project is projected to employ approximately 5,000 construction workers, with other sources suggesting potentially up to 6,000. Once operational, the facility is expected to support 500 permanent jobs, providing average salaries around $82,000, which is notably higher than the state per capita average.

To meet the substantial power demand, Entergy Louisiana has received approval from state regulators to proceed with construction of three combined-cycle combustion turbine power plants—two located in Richland Parish and one at its Waterford site in St. Charles Parish. These plants are scheduled to come online between 2028 and 2029.

Entergy is also undertaking a major transmission project: a $1.2 billion, 100‑mile 500 kV transmission line, expected online by December 2026, along with substations and 230 kV transmission lines to distribute power to the site. Meta will fully fund the Smalling Substation—a 55-acre facility critical to delivering power to the data center. Additionally, Entergy has completed phase one upgrades, installing about 5 miles of new and upgraded distribution lines to support both the data center and local customers.

Meta has described this data center as "the biggest yet."

Meta has pledged to match its electricity use with clean and renewable energy through its “Geaux Zero” initiative, aiming to bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy to the grid.

Meta will contribute $1 million annually to Entergy’s “Power to Care” program, aimed at assisting low-income and disabled customers, an amount that will be matched by Entergy. Revenue from the project is expected to offset regional utility costs, potentially reducing rates for existing customers by more than $300 million, while also facilitating advanced energy technologies like hydrogen co-firing (initially at 30%), and options for carbon capture, solar, battery storage, and eventual transition to 100% hydrogen energy.

A study by Grow NELA forecasts that the data center will spur the creation of 740 new households in Richland and Ouachita Parishes by 2029—comprising approximately 570 renter households and 170 owner households. This shift is expected to elevate housing demand significantly and lead to rising home values in the region.

Louisiana’s economic development efforts surrounding the project have been recognized with the “Platinum 2024 Deal of the Year” award by Business Facilities magazine, citing job creation, infrastructure investment, and high wages as key factors.

Additionally, Meta is collaborating with local education institutions: the Louisiana Community and Technical College System allocated $250,000 to Delta Community College for workforce development, including construction and data center operation curricula.

Governor Jeff Landry and local officials have engaged with community stakeholders regarding traffic and safety concerns arising from the influx of construction activity.