Facebook to Drop $1B in Virginia for Data Center, Solar Facilities

Facebook is bringing its considerable resources to Virginia.

The social network will invest $1 billion in all in the Richmond region to build a data center as well as a number of solar facilities to power the center with 100 percent renewable energy.

The 970,000-square-foot data center, which will be built in the White Oak Technology Park in Henrico County, will cost Facebook $750 million to build. The remaining $250 million will be used to construct the solar facilities.

“For many years, Virginia has served as a key hub for global internet traffic, emerging as one of the most active data center markets in the world,” Gov. Terry McAuliffe said in a press release. “Working with companies like Facebook and many others, we are advancing Virginia’s position as a global leader in the technology economy and a world-class home to innovative companies of every size.”

The project will bring more than 100 full-time operational jobs to the Richmond area as well as thousands of construction jobs while the facilities are being built.

A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce determined that construction of this data center will provide jobs to 1,688 local workers as well as $77.7 million in wages for them. The construction project will also produce $243.5 million in output “along the local economy’s supply chain” and an annual injection of $32.5 million into the economy once the facilities are up and running.

“Virginia has been a home to the Internet since the tech industry’s earliest days,” Facebook director of data center strategy Rachel Peterson said. “And thanks to Gov. McAuliffe’s focus on making the Commonwealth a great place for investment, as well as Henrico County’s robust infrastructure and attractive business climate for data center development, we could not be more thrilled to locate our next data center here.

“When considering new data center locations, we not only look for clean and renewable energy solutions, but great partnerships within the local community, a strong pool of local talent, excellent access to fiber, and a robust electric grid. Henrico County and the Commonwealth of Virginia has it all.”

Jennifer Cowan is the Managing Editor for SiteProNews.

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