Meta has begun the construction of its newest AI-optimised data centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, marking the company's first facility in the state, 28th in the US, and 32nd globally.
The project represents an investment of more than $1 billion in the region, as the Facebook parent races to build AI infrastructure for securing computing power.
The facility will be located at the Fair Oaks Innovation Park, spanning more than 2 million square feet.
Over 1,000 construction workers will be onsite at the peak of construction, and once complete, the data centre will support approximately 100 operational jobs.
Once operational, this data centre will be optimised for AI workloads, helping to bring Meta's technologies and AI ambitions to life.
Meta committed more than $25 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water infrastructure.
The company plans to use a water-efficient closed-loop, liquid-cooled system that recirculates the same water and will use zero water for a majority of the year, with a goal to be water positive in 2030.
The tech giant partnered with Tulsa Tech and Tulsa Community College to launch workforce development programmes that could graduate up to 200 students each year for trade jobs.
Meta is partnering with the Tulsa Community Foundation to establish a fund that will support Tulsa residents who are struggling to pay their water bills.
Meta selected Tulsa citing Oklahoma's affordable land, access to power and business-friendly policies supported by Governor Kevin Stitt.
The development reflects an intensifying race amongst Big Tech peers to build out massive data centres to power ambitious superintelligence ambitions.
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