Construction is officially underway for one of Indiana’s largest digital infrastructure projects, as Meta breaks ground on a $10 billion data center campus in the LEAP Innovation and Research District in Lebanon. Designed to meet the demands of next-generation artificial intelligence (AI), the expansive one-gigawatt facility will span 1,500 acres and include 13 buildings upon completion.
The project, which began in February, is led by Turner Construction Company and represents one of Meta’s most significant infrastructure investments to date. The campus will include 10 data center buildings, as well as logistics, warehousing, administrative, and network facilities. Once fully operational, it will deliver one gigawatt of capacity.
Rachel Peterson, Meta’s vice president of data centers, emphasized the importance of the project for the company’s broader AI initiatives. "This is one of our largest investments to date, and it marks an important milestone in our AI ambitions", Peterson stated. "We’ve been proud to call Indiana home since 2024, and this project deepens that commitment, creating local jobs, supporting the community, and partnering with state and local leaders to drive real impact across the region."
At its peak, the construction phase is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs, providing a significant boost to the local workforce. Once the campus is operational, it will employ approximately 300 people in high-paying roles.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun expressed optimism about the project’s contribution to the state’s growing reputation as a hub for technology and advanced manufacturing. "Indiana has the business-first environment and the central location needed to support the global infrastructure of tomorrow’s economy", Braun said. "Meta’s significant investment in Indiana is a testament to our workforce and to our communities that will power its growth and its future here in Lebanon."
The new campus adds to Meta’s presence in the state, joining its existing $800 million data center in Jeffersonville. The broader LEAP district has attracted over $23 billion in investments since 2022, further solidifying Indiana’s position as a rising technology center.
Sustainability is a key component of the data center’s design. The campus is being built to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, with measures in place to ensure energy efficiency and responsible water use. According to Meta, the facility will match 100% of its electricity consumption with clean and renewable energy.
The project will also feature a water-efficient, closed-loop liquid cooling system that recirculates water and is expected to use zero water for much of the year. Meta has committed to restoring all water used on-site to local watersheds, with plans to restore 200 million gallons of water annually for 10 years through irrigation improvements in Indiana’s Upper Wabash River Basin.
Additional environmental initiatives include revitalizing a section of the Deer Creek stream to enhance wetland habitats and improve conditions for pollinators in the area. Meta is also investing $120 million in local infrastructure, including roads, utility upgrades, and transmission lines in Lebanon.
Beyond its environmental commitments, Meta is positioning the project as a long-term investment in the Lebanon community. The company has pledged $1 million annually for 20 years to the Boone REMC Community Fund to support energy affordability for families in the area. For each completed phase of the project, Meta will also provide an annual $1.5 million community impact payment to the City of Lebanon, with up to six phases planned.
Meta is also launching a workforce development initiative through the Boone County Career Collaborative. The program will connect students with work-based learning opportunities and careers in technology and infrastructure sectors.
Construction of the campus will be completed in multiple phases, with the first buildings expected to begin coming online between late 2027 and early 2028. Ben Kaplan, managing director at Turner Construction Company, highlighted the scale and technical sophistication of the project, noting that it reflects the growing demands of AI-driven computing.
"Designed as a gigawatt-scale campus, the facility is intended to provide the bandwidth, reliability and computing power needed as AI applications continue to expand", Kaplan said.
As Meta’s ambitious project progresses, it underscores the increasing intersection of technological growth, environmental stewardship, and community development. With its significant investment, the company aims to set a new standard for large-scale digital infrastructure.
