Meta expands plans for Richland Parish data center while investing in the local community
Meta plans to expand its data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, to 5 gigawatts, while also investing significantly in the local community through infrastructure improvements, contracts, and educational donations. Despite these investments and claims of sustainable water use, some residents and independent researchers express concerns about the facility's substantial water and power consumption.
Meta is significantly expanding its data center in Holly Ridge, Richland Parish, Louisiana, aiming for 5 gigawatts of compute capacity, which will make it the company's largest facility globally. This expansion includes substantial local investments, with Louisiana businesses already receiving over $1.6 billion in contracts since Meta broke ground in 2024. Meta plans to invest an additional $1 billion in local infrastructure, including roads, water, and wastewater systems.
The project has also generated increased tax revenues for Richland Parish, leading to annual bonuses of up to $50,000 for teachers and support for public schools and youth programs through Data Center Community Action Grants. Meta is further donating $5 million to Louisiana Delta Community College to create scholarships and train students for over 1,000 new roles expected once the data center is operational.
Despite these community benefits, some local residents and independent water researchers have raised concerns regarding the data center's substantial water and power usage. The facility is projected to consume between 500 to 600 million gallons of water annually, three times more than Meta's previously most water-intensive data center. While Meta and state officials assert sustainable water consumption, researchers advocate for closer monitoring due to a perceived lack of state oversight.
Meta has committed to covering the full cost of energy, water, and related infrastructure, entering an agreement with Entergy to fund new natural gas-fueled generating plants, grid-scale batteries, and nuclear uprates. Governor Jeff Landry, along with Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois and Meta President and Vice Chairman Dina Powell McCormick, are scheduled to discuss the investment's impact on Louisiana's workforce and communities.