Meta has brought its data center in Mesa, Arizona online.
The company broke ground on the initially-$800 million data center back in 2021, and announced that the site's scope would be expanded back in 2022.
The Mesa data center was originally planned to come online in 2023, but was likely delayed as part of a broader Meta building pause as it redesigned facilities for artificial intelligence (AI).
At the time, Meta said that the facility would span more than 2.5 million square feet (232,300 sq m) across five buildings. Meta told DCD that two of the buildings are currently online.
Around 20,000 tons of steel were erected, including structural steel and joists, and 375,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured. The company said 78 percent of construction waste was diverted to recycling centers, keeping almost 28,474 tons out of landfills.
"Construction of the Mesa Data Center has resulted in an average of 2,000 skilled trade workers on site at peak, and the facility currently supports more than 200 operational jobs," Meta said. "Once fully built out, this facility will represent an investment of more than $1 billion in the state of Arizona."
The site is expected to support 200 operational jobs.
The company said that it would provide a $225,000 grant to help cover the cost of college attendance for Mesa residents pursuing STEM certificates and degrees, as part of the Mesa College Promise program. It also put $75,000 towards a multimedia center at The Official Gilbert Public Schools District’s Desert Ridge Junior High.
It will also support 12 regional water conservation and restoration projects.
"Arizona is the premier destination for high-tech companies like Meta and we look forward to supporting their success in Mesa," Allison Grigg, SVP of Economic Development, Arizona Commerce Authority, said.
Meta plans to spend some $60-65 billion on data centers and broader capex this year, and is developing a 2GW facility in Louisiana. This week, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the company plans to spend "hundreds of billions of dollars" on AI infrastructure over the long term.
