Meta Platforms Inc. pledged that its vast new data centre in Richland Parish, Louisiana, would deliver between 300 and 500 permanent jobs. That figure helped persuade state lawmakers to approve millions of dollars in tax breaks and a suite of infrastructure commitments.
Now the company has scaled back those estimates. In recent disclosures, Meta projected only about 100 full-time positions at the facility once it is operational. The revision has triggered backlash from local communities, watchdog groups and energy experts, who argue the deal’s benefits may fall far short of the public cost.
The project is monumental in scale. Valued at $10 billion, it has been billed as the largest data centre in the Western Hemisphere and a cornerstone of Meta’s artificial intelligence ambitions. Located in a largely rural stretch of northeastern Louisiana, the complex is expected to span millions of square feet and consume electricity on par with a mid-sized city.
State officials, eager to secure the investment, struck an expansive agreement with Entergy Louisiana to guarantee the site’s power needs. According to Wired, this includes plans for new natural gas-fired plants and upgraded transmission infrastructure. Proponents say the deal positions Louisiana as a rising hub for high-tech infrastructure, while critics warn it could saddle residents with higher utility bills.
The sharp reduction in job creation has become the flashpoint of the debate. Wired reported that Meta’s decision to “row back” its employment commitments undermines earlier claims of transformative economic benefit. Lawmakers had justified tax abatements and other incentives partly on the grounds that the data centre would diversify the state’s economy with hundreds of high-skilled positions.
Instead, the majority of long-term employment is expected to be concentrated in construction during the build phase, which will employ hundreds of workers but only temporarily. Once complete, operations will require far fewer staff than initially pledged.
Watchdog groups have seized on the discrepancy. “Taxpayers were promised hundreds of permanent jobs in exchange for millions in concessions,” one community advocate told Wired. “Now we’re left wondering who really benefits.”
Power and environmental costs
The data centre’s energy profile has raised additional concerns. Estimates suggest peak demand could exceed three gigawatts, enough to supply millions of homes. CNBC reported that the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved Entergy’s plan to build three new gas-fired plants to meet the load, despite environmental objections.
Louisiana, already highly exposed to climate risks such as hurricanes and flooding, faces criticism for doubling down on fossil fuel generation. Environmental groups warn the project could lock the state into decades of carbon-intensive infrastructure just as global pressure mounts for cleaner energy sources.
A piece in 404 Media described the facility as a “black hole of energy use,” noting fears that residents could face higher bills as utilities pass on the costs of expanded capacity.
The financing structure adds another layer of complexity. The Wall Street Journal reported that Meta is using a $26 billion debt deal arranged by Pacific Investment Management Co., alongside equity from Blue Owl Capital, to fund the project. The arrangement allows Meta to lease the site long-term while limiting upfront exposure.
This model, analysts say, is becoming a template for Big Tech as companies race to build infrastructure to support AI workloads. For Louisiana, the deal cements its role in the national scramble for data centre real estate. But it also raises questions about whether public incentives are delivering proportional returns.
In Richland Parish, reactions are mixed. Some residents welcome the influx of temporary construction jobs and the prestige of hosting a cutting-edge facility. Others worry about opaque details around energy pricing and the environmental footprint.
Community leaders stress the need for greater transparency. “People here want to know what they’re trading off,” a local official told 404 Media. “Yes, it’s investment, but it comes with consequences.”