Meta is reshaping the economic landscape of northeastern Louisiana. The tech giant plans to build an AI-optimized data center in Richland Parish, which is expected to create over 6,500 jobs for the local community.
Richland Parish School District Superintendent Shelton Jones has high hopes for this project. He is actively collaborating with the local Workforce Development Board and high school principals to prepare for the upcoming job opportunities. Through a series of roundtable discussions, they are developing targeted internship and apprenticeship programs and planning to host specialized job fairs to help students prepare for future careers.
This initiative is not just a data center construction project; it is a regional economic transformation. According to the Louisiana Economic Development Department, the project is expected to directly create 500 new jobs and indirectly generate over 1,000 employment opportunities. At the peak of construction, around 5,000 workers are anticipated to be involved in this 2,250-acre project.
Kevin Janda, Meta's head of data center infrastructure strategy, stated that the decision to choose Louisiana and Richland Parish as the site for the data center was primarily due to the area's excellent infrastructure, stable power grid, and business-friendly environment. More importantly, the support from local community partners has provided significant momentum for the project's advancement.
The project is expected to be completed by 2030, bringing economic vitality to Richland Parish and providing valuable opportunities in the tech industry for local residents, especially young people.