Meta Expands Louisiana AI Data Center with $50 Billion Investment

On July 13, 2026, Meta Platforms Inc. announced the expansion of its Hyperion AI data center campus in Richland Parish, Louisiana. The company increased its projected investment from $10 billion to over $50 billion, scaling the facility to 3,200 acres with a computing capacity of 5 gigawatts. The project, which began construction in December 2024, is expected to create 7,500 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent roles by its projected 2036 completion.

To support the site's massive energy needs, Meta is funding 10 new gas plants and 240 miles of transmission lines through an agreement with Entergy Louisiana. This energy deal is projected to save customers more than $2 billion over 20 years. Meta also pledged over $1 billion for local road and water infrastructure and $5 million to Louisiana Delta Community College for workforce scholarships. The project was incentivized by a 20-year sales-tax exemption signed by Governor Jeff Landry.

While the investment has generated $1.6 billion in local contracts and boosted teacher bonuses to over $50,000 through increased tax revenue, it has faced criticism. Earthjustice and the Alliance for Affordable Energy have raised concerns over the project's financing—which involves a joint venture with Blue Owl Capital—and potential impacts on local utility rates. Additionally, residents have reported housing instability, rising rents, and a 600% increase in vehicle crashes near the site. In response to such developments nationwide, Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act to pause new U.S. data center construction.