Meta's $50B Louisiana Data Center Expansion to Support 7,500 Construction Jobs
Meta will invest more than $50 billion in its Richland Parish, Louisiana data center and surrounding region, up sharply from its original $10 billion commitment, Construction Dive reports.
Market Impact
The investment, announced Monday, marks one of the largest AI infrastructure commitments in the world, according to Meta. The company first announced a $10 billion project in 2024 and contracted Turner Construction, DPR Construction and Mortenson to build it. That figure rose to $27 billion in October before Monday’s jump past $50 billion.
The expanded facility will span nearly 10 million square feet with 5 gigawatts of IT capacity, making it the largest data center in Meta’s global fleet, according to Louisiana Economic Development. The project broke ground in December 2024. Turner and Mortenson are serving as general contractors for the expansion, while DPR is building the first phase, Meta business and infrastructure communications manager Ashley Settle told Construction Dive. Settle said Meta worked with all three firms during planning, with contractor assignments “based on business needs.”
Meta is also covering the full cost of energy, water and related infrastructure for the site. The company struck an agreement with Entergy Louisiana to fund seven new natural gas-fueled generating plants, roughly 240 miles of new 500 kV transmission lines, and battery storage at three locations. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said the state has secured more than $150 billion in new investment over the past two years. LED reports the project will support 7,500 construction jobs at peak. Louisiana is also one of four pilot sites for Meta’s $115 million America’s Workforce Academy, which will offer skilled trades training tied to data center work.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- General contractors Turner, Mortenson and DPR are managing separate phases of the Richland Parish build, so trades should confirm which firm oversees the scope they’re bidding into before submitting pre-qualification paperwork.
- With 7,500 jobs expected at peak construction, demand will be heavy for electrical, mechanical and civil trades tied to the data center shell, plus E&I crews needed for the Entergy Louisiana transmission and generation buildout (seven gas plants, roughly 240 miles of 500 kV lines, battery storage at three sites).
- Trades interested in workforce pipelines should look into Meta’s $115 million America’s Workforce Academy, which is piloting skilled trades training in Louisiana specifically for data center project labor.
- Subcontractors should monitor Louisiana Economic Development and Entergy Louisiana announcements for infrastructure subcontract packages tied to the transmission and generation buildout, since that scope is separate from the core data center construction contracts.
