TECHNOLOGY — Meta is expanding its artificial intelligence data center campus in Richland Parish, Louisiana, with plans to increase computing capacity to at least 5 gigawatts.

The company said Monday that the expanded development represents approximately $50 billion in infrastructure investment.

According to media reports citing a person familiar with the project, total expected spending at the site could eventually reach at least $250 billion when future purchases of AI chips and other computing equipment are included. Meta has not publicly disclosed a full cost estimate beyond the announced $50 billion investment.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has significantly increased spending on AI infrastructure in recent years, identifying data centers and computing capacity as key components of the company’s efforts to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems.

Meta currently has 33 data centers that are either completed or under active development worldwide.

The Richland Parish campus is among Meta’s largest data center projects. Blue Owl Capital holds an 80% interest in the project and has sought external financing to help support construction.

Power infrastructure is also a major part of the development. Entergy Louisiana is investing in new natural gas generation facilities to support future electricity demand from the campus. Meta plans to deploy about 5 gigawatts of computing capacity at the site, while the broader facility is expected to require additional power.

Zuckerberg recently said Meta continues to seek additional computing capacity. Media reports have also indicated that the company is considering offering some computing resources to external customers, potentially through a cloud infrastructure business. Meta has not formally announced such a service.

The company said the Richland Parish data center is expected to create about 1,000 jobs once operational. Since construction began in December 2024, Meta has awarded more than $1.6 billion in contracts to Louisiana businesses.

Meta’s growing AI infrastructure spending has increased investor attention on capital expenditures and potential returns from artificial intelligence. The expansion could support continued demand for semiconductors, data storage, advanced manufacturing, and power infrastructure, while the financial impact and long-term returns from large-scale AI investment remain closely watched.