Business is booming in a small Louisiana town as a huge Meta AI data center project brings in thousands of workers
A small Louisiana town saw more annual sales tax revenue in 2025 than the last 20 years combined, thanks largely to a huge Meta data center project.
Meta is constructing its largest data center in Louisiana's Richland Parish, a project expected to create over 7,500 jobs at peak construction. The influx of workers has led to the opening of new businesses in the area, as locals capitalize on the economic opportunity. David Rodgers, co-founder of Ice Queen, a local business, told Business Insider that he believes the project is too big to ignore and encourages people to get involved.
The construction workers, who arrive with cash to spend, are providing a much-needed boost to the local economy. Holly Ridge, a small town within Richland Parish, has seen a resurgence in economic activity as businesses move to capitalize on the influx of workers. This growth has been particularly evident in the food and hospitality industries, with new establishments such as Holy Tacos, HeBrews Coffee & Eats, and Ice Queen emerging in response to the demand for construction workers' needs.
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