Meta's expansive $10 billion artificial intelligence data centre currently under construction in Richland Parish has been awarded the prestigious Platinum 2024 Deal of the Year title by Business Facilities magazine. This award represents the publication's highest accolade for significant investments, recognising the profound impact such projects can have on local economies.
In a statement regarding this honour, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry noted the significance of Meta's investment and the anticipated economic advantages for the community. "The profound community impact of Meta’s average salaries, which will exceed 150% of the state’s per capita average, helped set Louisiana apart," he said. The award highlights not only the financial implications but also the collaborative approach by Louisiana's economic development sector, particularly in regard to the new data centre incentive program, educational partnerships, and the region's substantial power and water infrastructure.
The ongoing project is situated on a 2,250-acre section of the former Franklin Farm megasite and aims to encompass a sprawling 4 million square feet of operational space. The construction phase is expected to employ over 5,000 workers at its peak, further exhilarating local employment opportunities. The data centre is viewed as a transformative investment for both northeast Louisiana and the state as a whole.
In addition to the accolades received by Meta's data centre, Business Facilities also commended an Amazon Web Services data centre project in Mississippi with a Gold Award, a testament to the competitive landscape of technological investments shaping the region.
"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,” remarked Susan B. Bourgeois, the Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development (LED). Her comments reflect the state's aspiration to attract further investments in emerging technologies.
Louisiana's recognition by Business Facilities magazine is not unprecedented; the state previously achieved notable acclaim when Grön Fuels' proposed renewable fuels complex in West Baton Rouge Parish was named the nation’s No. 2 project in the 2020 Economic Development Deal of the Year competition. This consistent recognition underscores Louisiana's evolving landscape as a hub for significant technological advancements and investments in the field of AI and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services