Meta to Build Hyperscale Data Centers in Kentucky and Louisiana
Meta is investing billions to develop massive data centers in Mason County, Kentucky, and Richland Parish, Louisiana, amid local disputes over displacement and energy costs.
The Mason County Fiscal Court unanimously approved a resolution on October 13, 2026, for Meta to develop a hyperscale data center and technology campus near Maysville, Kentucky. The project will occupy approximately 2,900 acres and involves an initial investment of $15 billion, with potential long-term capital reaching $800 billion over a 40-year agreement. The development is expected to create 2,000 construction jobs and 400 permanent positions, while providing $130 million for water, roadway, and public safety infrastructure.
To secure the investment, the county will use industrial revenue bonds to exempt the campus from local property taxes for 40 years. This arrangement, along with the use of non-disclosure agreements to hide Meta's identity until recently, has sparked backlash from the group We Are Mason County. Residents of the Meadowland Village trailer park face displacement, with some offered $50,000 buyouts, and a local lawsuit has been filed to oppose the plans. The project also requires the relocation of a historic cemetery discovered via LIDAR technology.
Simultaneously, Meta is facing protests in Richland Parish, Louisiana, where a data center is under construction. The Take the Power Back campaign gathered at New Orleans City Hall on October 13 to protest the facility's 4,500-megawatt electricity requirement. Opponents argue the project strains the grid and will increase pollution through 10 new gas-fueled power plants. Entergy Louisiana has denied that the project will raise ratepayer bills, stating that a 20-year agreement requires Meta to pay for the necessary electrical infrastructure.
