BUSINESS

Meta Announces 5-Gigawatt Expansion in Louisiana Data Campus

PUBLISHED Jul 13, 2026, 6:04 AM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 6

Center 83%

Right 17%

Sources: 6

Richland Parish, Louisiana. Meta announced on Monday that its Richland Parish data center will expand to 5 gigawatts of compute capacity, stating the project’s investment in the region has risen to more than $50 billion; the company said construction began in December 2024 and local contracts have already been awarded. The company says the expansion supports its AI initiatives and includes more than $1 billion for roads, water and wastewater improvements; local businesses have received over $1.6 billion in contracts since December 2024, officials expect more than 1,000 jobs, and environmental and financing concerns were raised by advocacy groups earlier this year.

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

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Timeline of Events

December 2024: Meta breaks ground on the Richland Parish data center project.
Last year: Public statements referenced a $50 billion project estimate.
May (reported): Bloomberg reported plans for additional large-scale spending tied to chips and compute.
Earlier this year: Earthjustice sought a financing investigation; regulators denied the request.
July 13: Meta publicly announced expansion to 5 gigawatts and investment above $50 billion.

News Intelligence

Meta's expansion in Louisiana means more jobs and local business contracts. It's a big boost for the economy. If you're in the area, keep an eye on job postings. If you own a business, look for contract opportunities.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 6
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 5

Who Benefited

Meta and its supply chain stand to gain from expanded AI compute capacity and procurement contracts, with local contractors receiving over $1.6 billion in contracts since construction began in December 2024 and Meta positioning for larger-scale AI operations.

Who Impacted

Local residents, utility customers and environmental groups face potential energy-cost exposure and environmental impacts; Earthjustice raised financing and cost-shifting concerns that regulators and community stakeholders have flagged earlier this year.

Media Bias