Meta building $800 million Montgomery data center, creating 100 jobs

Tech conglomerate Meta will build an $800 million, 715,000-square-foot data center in Montgomery, creating 100 jobs.

The center will be built off Interstate 65 across from Hyundai’s automotive assembly plant.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced the project Thursday at Montgomery Whitewater. The site is already being cleared for construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

More than 1,000 construction workers are expected to be onsite at the peak of construction, according to the company.

California-based Meta, the parent company of Facebook, opened its first Alabama data center campus in Huntsville in 2021, which now employs about 300 people. The company has invested a total of $1.5 billion into the state.

“Each day, millions of people around the world use Meta’s products, and the next-generation Alabama data center in Montgomery will soon help keep the company’s popular platforms running smoothly,” Ivey said. “Meta is putting down roots in another great location in Sweet Home Alabama, and we’re committed to helping the company grow and prosper here.”

Meta also operates Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp, with data centers providing the infrastructure necessary to keep the platforms running.

Montgomery will be home to the company’s 24th data hub and the 20th in the United States.

Brad Davis, director of community and economic development for Meta, said Montgomery “offers great access to infrastructure and renewable energy, a strong pull of talent and most importantly, an amazing set of community partners.”

Once operational, the facility will be LEED Gold certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. It will be supported by 100% renewable energy and reach net zero emissions.

“Meta is a globally recognized brand and having this world-class technology company launch another investment project in Alabama clearly demonstrates the state’s attractiveness to the high-tech sector around the world,” Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said. “We look forward to building on the close relationship we’ve developed with Meta to set the stage for even more growth in our state.”