Facebook to make $750 million investment in building Huntsville, AL data center

June 19, 2018
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said that Facebook will make a $750 million investment in building a data center in Huntsville, AL, and create 100 jobs. Facebook representatives and local leaders joined Governor Ivey to make the announcement during a ceremony held at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber last week.

Governor Ivey Announces Facebook to Invest $750 million in New Data Center in Huntsville, AL

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said that Facebook will make a $750 million investment in building a data center in Huntsville, AL, and create 100 jobs. Facebook representatives and local leaders joined Governor Ivey to make the announcement during a ceremony held at the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber last week.

In May, the Huntsville City Council unanimously approved Facebook's project entity, Starbelt LLC, to purchase 340 acres at $8.5 million in the North Huntsville Industrial Park. Facebook will receive an investment credit under the Alabama Jobs Act valued at an estimated $86.25 million, over 10 years, to advance the project. Over the span of 30 years, total new revenue from the data center is estimated to grow to $297.3 million.

According to Governor Ivey's press release regarding the investment, data center revenue will be divided between the state, county, and city. The press release also states that Facebook selected the state of Alabama, and the Huntsville area, for its high quality of life, pro-business environment, and accomplished workforce. The Huntsville data center will employ almost 100 people once construction is complete, at an average annual salary of $80,0"0.

“Facebook's decision to locate its new, state-of-the-art data center in Huntsville reflects Alabama's attractiveness to technology companies and marks another important chapter in the growth story of our tech sector," said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. "Facebook is a world-class company, and we look forward to building a lasting partnership that sets the stage for even more growth."

Facebook's investment follows an announcement earlier this month from Eagle Mountain City, along with the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah), that the company will begin building a 970,000 square foot data center at the Sweetwater Industrial Park located in Eagle Mountain, UT (see "Facebook building Eagle Mountain City, UT data center"). As a U.S. data center industry hub, the area is similarly attractive to technology companies.

For related articles, visit the Data Center Topic Center.

For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.