Meta Commences Construction on $10B AI Data Center in Indiana
Meta Platforms Inc. officially began construction on a colossal $10 billion data center campus in Lebanon, Indiana on February 11, 2026. This project represents one of the company’s most substantial infrastructure investments to date, as tech giants compete to expand AI computing capacity.
The facility, situated in the LEAP Innovation and Research District, is expected to provide 1 gigawatt of power capacity once operational, covering an area of 4 million square feet. The data center is projected to be operational by late 2027 or early 2028. It will support both Meta’s artificial intelligence projects and core social media businesses, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The project is set to create over 4,000 construction jobs during its peak building phase, along with approximately 300 permanent operational positions. Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who joined Meta executives at the groundbreaking ceremony, highlighted the state’s business-friendly environment and central location as key factors in attracting the investment.
Meta has committed to significant community investments, which include:
- $120 million toward water infrastructure improvements
- $45 million for public road enhancements
- $1 million annually for 20 years to assist families with energy costs
The company also pledged to restore 100% of water consumed by the facility to local watersheds and match all energy use with clean and renewable sources. The data center buildings are expected to achieve LEED Gold certification, demonstrating Meta’s commitment to sustainable construction practices.