Meta, the technology corporation formerly known as Facebook, is coming to the CSRA.
The Menlo Park, Calif. social media conglomerate announced Thursday that it plans to establish its first operation in South Carolina with a new data center in Aiken County.
“This is a huge win for Aiken County and South Carolina as a whole,” said Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker, highlighting that this arrival from the “high-end industrial sector” bespeaks the appeal of a “low-tax, business friendly environment.”
The proposed 715,000-square foot facility will be Meta’s 22nd U.S. data center, part of a worldwide infrastructure powering the company’s several online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
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“We are excited to make Aiken County our new home and are committed to playing a positive role here and investing in the community’s long-term vitality,” said Kevin Janda, Meta’s director of data center strategy. “South Carolina stood out as an outstanding location for our newest data center thanks to its great access to infrastructure and energy, deep pool of talent, and amazing community partners. Our thanks go out to all who have helped get us here.”
According to Meta, the new center’s electricity use will be matched with 100% renewable energy. The company plans to confer with local partners to add renewables to its power grid, and to develop the data center’s campus to earn the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, a green building rating system by the U.S. Green Building Council.
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South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has noted that the new processing center “will significantly impact our economy, creating valuable jobs and further driving innovation” and “will benefit our communities and enhance our state’s reputation as a technological leader.”
The Meta data center facility will be located at Sage Mill Industrial Park and is expected to be operational in 2027.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
