Meta plans $5 billion AI data center in LA

Facebook parent Meta is planning to build a multi-billion artificial intelligence data center in Louisiana near Monroe in Richland Parish’s Holly Ridge, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell confirmed to USA Today Network Tuesday.

Campbell said Meta plans to invest $5 billion in the project.

“It’s huge,” Campbell said. “I’m all for it, and I’m trying to remove any obstacles that we can control. It will be a shining spar in northeastern Louisiana. No region or its people deserve it more.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission, which regulates utility monopolies, is being asked by Entergy to approve three new natural gas power plants to accommodate “a large and economically transformative facility” in Holly Ridge about 30 miles east of Monroe, according to filings with the commission that don’t identify the company.

Campbell said two of the plants would be built near the data center and a third north of Baton Rouge at a cost of $3.2 billion.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s spokeperson told USA Today Network: “Unfortunately we can’t comment right now.”

Entergy is set to present a proposal to the Public Service Commission at its meeting on Wednesday.

The data center will be built on the state-owned, 1,440-acre Franklin Farms Megasite in Holly Ridge.