Meta Breaks Ground on New $1 Billion Data Center in Tulsa
Today, local and state leaders joined Meta to break ground on the company’s newest data center in Tulsa, representing an investment of more than $1 billion and marking one of the largest economic development projects in the region’s history.
The Tulsa Data Center is expected to support more than 1,000 construction jobs at peak and create approximately 100 operational jobs once completed. In addition to job creation, the project includes more than $25 million in local infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to roads and water systems. Meta also prioritizes sourcing labor and materials locally, further amplifying economic benefits across the region. This will be Meta’s first data center in Oklahoma, 28th in the U.S. and 32nd in its global fleet.
“Meta’s $1 billion investment in Tulsa highlights Oklahoma’s unmatched energy abundance, business-friendly environment and ability to support cutting edge innovation,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “We produce more energy than we consume in Oklahoma, giving companies like Meta the reliable and affordable power they need to grow and innovate. This project will also create new opportunities for our workforce by connecting students and graduates from our colleges and CareerTechs to high quality high paying jobs right here in Oklahoma while also serving as a strong source of tax revenue for the local school system.”
The Tulsa Data Center, located at the Fair Oaks 2,000- acre industrial innovation park in East Tulsa will span more than 2 million square feet. Meta is the first anchor tenant at Fair Oaks Innovation Park, Oklahoma’s first REDI Site, a new national standard for evaluating readiness for industrial development. This project will play a critical role in supporting Meta’s global infrastructure while delivering meaningful local impact.
“The momentum in Oklahoma is real and this investment is another example that top-tier companies around the world see what’s happening in our state and are lining up to invest,” said John Budd, CEO, Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “Companies like Meta are choosing Oklahoma for our affordable, reliable energy and truly business-friendly environment, but they are also coming here because of how people-friendly our state is. Oklahoma is a place where people want to live, raise families and build their future and the world is taking notice.”
“More than 20 years ago, city leaders envisioned the Fair Oaks Innovation Park site as a hub for jobs and innovation,” added Michelle Barnett, senior vice president of economic and workforce development for PartnerTulsa. “Today, with the arrival of the first anchor tenant, that vision is becoming a reality—bringing new investment to our community, infrastructure and schools.”
Meta has a strong track record of investing in the communities where it operates. In Tulsa, Meta is supporting Eastside Rise with a grant to expand its neighborhood enhancement program across East Tulsa, supporting projects that range from community gardens and public art to homeowner repairs. Meta is also partnering with Tulsa Tech and Tulsa Community College to support a new, cross-institutional workforce development program and learning lab for digital infrastructure careers. This partnership is anticipated to create a pipeline of 200+ graduates annually in technical trades, including cooling simulation, fiber optics, and structured cabling, along with AI and data analytics programming.
In addition, this fall, the company will launch its Data Center Community Action Grants program, supporting schools and nonprofits in Tulsa, Rogers and Wagoner counties with funding and technology-focused initiatives that strengthen STEAM education and community development.
“We’re proud to call Tulsa home as we announce Meta’s first data center in Oklahoma. The region offers great access to infrastructure and energy, a talented workforce, and outstanding local partners,” said Gary Demasi, vice president of data center strategy at Meta. “This investment reflects our long-term commitment to supporting economic growth and innovation in the region, and we look forward to partnering with this community to drive real impact for years to come.”
Meta will be paying for the full costs for energy used by the data center so they aren’t passed on to consumers. Through its utility bills, Meta will be paying hundreds of millions of dollars to help pay for grid infrastructure, like substations and transmission lines, that benefit all consumers. Meta worked closely with the Public Service Company of Oklahoma to plan for and meet its energy needs years in advance of the data center coming online. Meta will also make an annual contribution to the Public Service Company of Oklahoma’s (PSO) Light a Life Program, an initiative made possible through PSO’s partnership with the Salvation Army. Meta’s donation to Light a Life will provide financial assistance for customers in Oklahoma who are struggling to pay their energy bills.
As part of its commitment to match its electricity use with 100% clean energy, Meta will work with developer partners to bring new energy to the grid. Meta currently has projects under contract that are adding over 1,500 megawatts of clean energy to the grid in Oklahoma.
Meta also prioritizes water stewardship. The facility will incorporate efficient water use and environmentally responsible design practices, and Meta will pay the full cost of water and wastewater service required to support the data center site. In addition, Meta is partnering with the Tulsa Community Foundation to establish a fund that will support Tulsa residents who are struggling to pay their water bills or are in need of water service line repair and replacement.
Meta has a goal to be water positive in 2030, restoring more water than it consumes to local watersheds. In Oklahoma, Meta is partnering with Phytech on a water restoration project that will provide irrigation technology to local farmers that will help them minimize water withdrawal, save energy and reduce costs. This 10-year project will implement Phytech’s innovative plant-sensor technology across approximately 1500 acres of vital commodity crops, including corn, soybeans and winter wheat, to save over 50 million gallons of water per year.
Project Details:
- Investment: $1 billion+
- Size: 2+ million square feet
- Construction Jobs: 1,000+ at peak
- Operational Jobs: ~100
- General Contractor: Fortis Construction