Meta AI data center to bring more than 6,500 jobs to NELA

Posted by author December 5, 2024 Jobs

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RAYVILLE, La. (KNOE) – Meta has become Northeast Louisiana’s largest business partner.

The company’s Artificial Intelligence-optimized data center is expected to support more than 6,500 jobs in Richland Parish.

Superintendent Sheldon Jones of Richland Parish Schools is setting his students up for careers that the AI-optimized data center will offer when it is completed in 2030.

“I, along with central office supervisors staff and high school principals have partnered with workforce development board 83 and series of roundtable discussions targeting support for internships and apprenticeships with local businesses, curriculum development and job fairs,” said Jones.

The data center will provide more than 500 direct new jobs. The Louisiana Economic Development (LED) is estimating that the project will create more than 1,000 indirect jobs in the region.

“Louisiana and Richland Parish are the perfect home for Meta – for a variety of reasons: excellent access to infrastructure, a reliable grid, a business-friendly climate, but most importantly, a great set of community partners that have really helped push this project forward,” said Kevin Janda of Meta, who is over data center infrastructure strategy.

Around 5,000 construction workers will be employed at the peak of construction on the 2,250-acre site.

Meta is investing $200 million to improve local infrastructure, including roads and water systems throughout the region.

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