Gov. Stitt announces Meta behind Tulsa data center known as ‘Project Anthem’

Governor Kevin Stitt announced that Meta is the company behind "Project Anthem," a long-anticipated data center project in east Tulsa, Oklahoma. This $1 billion investment is expected to generate 1,000 construction jobs and 100 full-time positions upon completion in 2028. Gov. Stitt emphasized Oklahoma's business-friendly environment as a key factor in Meta's decision. However, the announcement was met with protests from residents like Cheyenna Morgan, who raised concerns about potential electric rate increases, noise pollution, and construction dangers. Meta officials countered these concerns, stating the project would be self-sustaining and the company is committed to building infrastructure to avoid overburdening local power and water resources. A Meta vice president highlighted the data center's role in supporting products like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and artificial intelligence workloads. The facility, currently under construction between 11th and 21st Streets near the Creek Turnpike, is part of Meta's broader expansion of cloud computing and AI infrastructure, with Oklahoma chosen for its affordable land, power access, and supportive policies. Meta is also partnering with Tulsa Tech and Tulsa Community College for workforce development. This project contributes to a growing trend of data center development across Oklahoma, with other notable investments by Google in Pryor, Stillwater, and Muskogee County. State leaders anticipate data centers will bring jobs and tax revenue, while also addressing potential negative impacts through policies such as allowing large industrial users to generate their own power "behind the meter" and a proposed bill (HB 3917) requiring data centers to contribute to grid upgrades during peak demand. Despite these measures, opposition persists in several Oklahoma communities, citing worries about water usage, environmental impact, noise, and land use.