Meta Data Center Bringing 100 Jobs to Montgomery, Alabama with $800 Million Investment
Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, made an announcement on Thursday that has the potential to greatly impact the economic landscape of Montgomery, Alabama. The tech giant revealed plans to construct an $800 million, 715,000-square-foot data center on a 1,500-acre site located across Interstate 65 from the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant in Montgomery.
This new data center, one of Meta’s 20 locations worldwide, will bring with it approximately 100 job opportunities for the local community. Governor Kay Ivey, who was present at the announcement held at Montgomery Whitewater, expressed her enthusiasm about Meta’s decision to expand its presence in Alabama.
“Meta has once again sent a friend request to Alabama and, folks, we are happy to accept,” Ivey said, highlighting the positive impact this development will have on the state’s economy.
Brad Davis, director of Community and Economic Development at Meta, cited several factors that influenced the company’s decision to choose Montgomery as the location for their new data center. These factors included access to infrastructure, renewable energy sources, a qualified talent pool, and a supportive community of partners. Davis expressed gratitude towards all those who had been instrumental in moving the project forward.
The recruitment process for what was initially known as “Project Slate” took over three years to come to fruition. It was a secretive process, with members of Alabama’s economic development team only knowing Meta’s team by their first names for the first two and a half years. Despite the secrecy, strong relationships were formed, with life events like births and graduations being celebrated together.
One critical aspect of data centers like the one Meta plans to build is reliable power supply. Meta’s commitment to using clean, renewable energy sources added another layer of complexity to the project. Ellen McNair, Alabama Commerce Secretary, commended Alabama Power for their crucial role in ensuring that Meta’s power requirements would be met sustainably.
Alabama Power, who played a significant role in making this commitment to clean energy a reality, was praised for their unwavering support and dedication by McNair and other key stakeholders involved in the project. The company’s ability to provide large-scale, reliable energy solutions was a major factor in Meta’s decision to choose Alabama as the site for their data center.
The importance of partnerships and collaboration was evident throughout the process of bringing Meta’s data center to Montgomery. In addition to Alabama Power and the Department of Commerce, entities such as the city of Montgomery, Montgomery County, and the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce all contributed to making this project a success.
Surprisingly, one of the elements that played a significant role in attracting Meta to Montgomery was the new Montgomery Whitewater facility. The facility, which has already hosted Olympic trials and serves as a hub for outdoor education and recreation, showcased the area’s commitment to quality of life and innovation.
Leslie Sanders, vice president of the Southern Division at Alabama Power, highlighted how Montgomery Whitewater’s technologically advanced facilities and commitment to progress resonated with Meta and other potential investors. The combination of cutting-edge infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and supportive partners like Alabama Power made Montgomery an appealing choice for tech companies looking to expand their operations.
Overall, Meta’s decision to invest in Montgomery represents a significant milestone for the city and the state of Alabama. The partnership between Meta, Alabama Power, and various stakeholders underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development in driving economic growth and prosperity.
The $800 million Meta data center and its 100 jobs coming to Montgomery, Alabama, was made possible through a combination of anonymity, teamwork, a whitewater park, and the efforts of Alabama Power. Meta announced the construction of the large data center on a 1,500-acre site in Montgomery, highlighting the state’s positive attributes. The recruitment process, known as “Project Slate,” took over three years, with Alabama Power playing a crucial role in meeting Meta’s clean energy commitments. The new Montgomery Whitewater facility also played a significant role in attracting Meta, showcasing the area’s commitment to quality of life and innovation. Overall, the project signifies a larger trend for computer data centers and their impact on economic development.