FILE – The Meta logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris, France on June 14, 2023. Meta said in a blog post on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, that it would begin restricting inappropriate content on teen accounts on Instagram and Facebook, such as posts about suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, plans to build an $800 million data center in Montgomery, creating 100 jobs in the process.
The announcement was made Thursday morning in the nation's capital, with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reed, Montgomery County Commissioner Doug Singleton and Meta's Brad Davis attending a special ceremony.
“Millions of people around the world use Meta's products every day, and our next-generation Alabama data center in Montgomery will soon help keep the company's popular platform running smoothly.” Ivey said in a statement. “Meta is putting down roots at Sweet Home in another great location in Alabama, and we are committed to helping the company grow and thrive here.”
The center will be 715,000 square feet and will be the company's 20th center in the United States. These centers serve as the infrastructure that supports Meta companies such as Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The center will be built on Interstate 65, across from the Hyundai Motor Plant.
“We are pleased to announce that our state-of-the-art data center will be located in Montgomery. This city, and our particular location, has excellent access to infrastructure and renewable energy, a strong draw for talent, and And most importantly, we offer a great collection of community partners,” said Brad Davis, Meta’s Director of Community and Economic Development. “We look forward to building a strong partnership for many years to come.”
The center is expected to be operational at the end of 2026.