Meta has broken ground on a massive new data center in Lebanon, Indiana, and the scale of the project is hard to ignore. With an investment topping $10 billion, the facility is designed to deliver one gigawatt of capacity—making it one of the company’s largest infrastructure undertakings to date. For Meta, this isn’t just about building another server farm; it’s about creating a backbone that can handle the dual demands of its core social platforms and the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence.

The economic footprint is equally striking. At peak construction, more than 4,000 jobs will be supported, with around 300 permanent operational roles once the center is up and running. Meta is also weaving itself into the fabric of Boone County through workforce development programs, grants, and infrastructure investments. A new initiative called the Boone County Career Collaborative will connect schools with local employers, giving students exposure to skills and career paths that align with the region’s evolving economy. It’s a clear signal that Meta wants to be seen not just as a tech giant moving in, but as a long-term partner in community growth.

The company is also making a point of addressing concerns around utilities and sustainability. Meta has pledged to cover the full costs of the energy, water, and wastewater services required to run the facility, ensuring local residents aren’t burdened. Beyond that, it’s committing $1 million annually for 20 years to help families with energy bills, and investing more than $120 million in water infrastructure and public improvements like roads and transmission lines.

On the sustainability front, the Lebanon site will be powered entirely by clean energy and is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification. The facility will use a closed-loop cooling system that recirculates water, consuming zero water for much of the year. Meta has also partnered with Arable to provide irrigation technology to farmers in Indiana’s Upper Wabash River Basin, aiming to restore 200 million gallons of water annually for a decade. Efforts to revitalize the Deer Creek stream further highlight the company’s attempt to balance industrial growth with ecological stewardship.

For Lebanon, a city that has been steadily attracting investment thanks to its location and infrastructure, Meta’s arrival is a milestone. It positions the area as a hub not just for logistics and manufacturing, but also for cutting-edge technology. For Meta, the project underscores how critical large-scale, AI-optimized data centers have become in the race to support next-generation computing. The Lebanon campus is more than just a local development—it’s a piece of Meta’s global strategy to ensure its platforms and AI ambitions have the horsepower they need to thrive.