Meta building $800 million Montgomery data center, creating 100 jobs

Posted on by Michael Randle

Tech conglomerate Meta will build an $800 million, 715,000-square-foot data center in Montgomery, creating 100 jobs.

The center will be built off Interstate 65 across from Hyundai’s automotive assembly plant.

Gov. Kay Ivey announced the project Thursday at Montgomery Whitewater. The site is already being cleared for construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

More than 1,000 construction workers are expected to be onsite at the peak of construction, according to the company.

California-based Meta, the parent company of Facebook, opened its first Alabama data center campus in Huntsville in 2021, which now employs about 300 people. The company has invested a total of $1.5 billion into the state.

AL.com

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Gov. Andy Beshear on how the Kentucky Derby fuels economic development

Posted on by Michael Randle

Kentucky Derby 150 is a big day for racing fans, horse trainers and of course, bettors — but it’s also a big day for economic development.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and his wife Britainy spent a good portion of their Derby day suite-hopping across Churchill Downs.

The two-term governor visited the suites of University of Louisville, Lexington developer Patrick Madden and Louisville-based LDG Development, where former Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis was taking in the races, among others.

Beshear said Derby week is a chance for state officials to develop relationships with business executives.

“We have an economic development group that’s here today. Different folks who have announced big locations or expansions over the last year and some which we are trying to finalize the deal. It’s an opportunity to not only show them a good time but to sit and have some time to talk outside of a boardroom and they get to know who they are going to be doing business with and where,” Beshear said in an interview with Business First outside one of the suites.

Louisville Business First

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