Louisiana just received top honors for its recent economic win—a massive $10 billion Meta AI data center deal that snagged the 'Deal of the Year' award from Business Facilities Magazine. Esteemed as a national trade publication closely followed by site selectors, Business Facilities gave the prestigious Platinum 2024 award to the state for this significant tech investment. Just trailing behind was another tech giant, Amazon Web Services, which took home the Gold Award for its own $10 billion data center project in Mississippi, as reported by the Louisiana Economic Development.
According to Louisiana Economic Development, a standout feature of the Meta project in Louisiana was the high average salaries, promising to hover at 150% above the state's per capita average. This, along with the state’s “all-of-Louisiana” approach to securing such deals, was hailed for its potential to boost local economies. Crediting the state’s new data center incentive program and educational partnerships, the noted local power and water infrastructure made Louisiana a commendable choice for such a transformative project.
Speaking on the economic ripple effect of the deal, Governor Jeff Landry told Louisiana Economic Development, “We can dramatically improve the lives of Louisiana residents with high-paying jobs that support families and help workers all across our state adapt to a fast-changing world.” Further noting the commitment to not overlook rural areas, Landry proclaimed the state's newfound global leadership in innovation.
The data center, spanning 4 million square feet, has been hailed as a project that could transform Northeast Louisiana, with Louisiana Economic Development estimating it may also spawn over 1,000 indirect jobs. During the peak of construction, over 5,000 workers are expected to build on the 2,250-acre section of the former Franklin Farm megasite in Richland Parish. With work already underway, Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois echoed the sentiments of economic victory, stating to Louisiana Economic Development, “The 2024 Platinum Deal of the Year award sends CEOs and site selectors around the world a powerful message: Louisiana is not only in the game, we are in it to win.”
Beyond the magnitude of investment, Meta also plans to foster community development through its Data Center Community Action Grants, aimed at bolstering educational resources focused on science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM). In tandem, Louisiana Delta Community College in Monroe is tailoring a curriculum geared towards equipping the future workforce to tackle the fresh challenges presented by budding technologies such as AI and data centers. Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove of Business Facilities highlighted the overarching technological shift spurring these investments: “The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and the demand for technology capabilities overall spurred significant investment in data centers throughout 2024,” she said. Commendations were extended to the Louisiana Economic Development teams that brought these visions to life, culminating in an investment that promises to revolutionize Louisiana’s engagement with the future of tech.
