Aug. 13, 2021
This post was originally published by AZ Big Media on August 13th, 2021.
Facebook announced plans today to build the Facebook Mesa Data Center, a 960,000 square-foot facility that will be the company’s first data center in Arizona. Along with a projected $800 million investment, the project is expected to support approximately 100 operational jobs and up to 1,500 construction jobs at peak.
The Facebook Mesa Data Center will be among the most advanced, energy- and water-efficient data center facilities in the world and will be part of Facebook’s global infrastructure that brings its apps and services to people around the world.
“We are thrilled to be breaking ground on our newest data center. Mesa stood out as a great location for a number of reasons. It has great access to infrastructure, opportunities for renewable energy development, strong talent for both construction and operations, and great community partners,” said Rachel Peterson, VP of Infrastructure at Facebook. “Thank you to the Arizona Commerce Authority, the City of Mesa, the Eastmark Community, Salt River Project, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, the State of Arizona, and to all of our partners who have helped get us to today. We are excited to join the Mesa community and look forward to having a strong partnership for years to come.”
With the new data center, Facebook is prioritizing sustainable, clean energy as well as local water conservation. Facebook’s investment will support 450 megawatts of new, renewable energy projects at three sites in Arizona, ensuring energy for the facility is 100% renewable. In addition, Facebook announced plans to restore over 200 million gallons of water per year in the Colorado River and Salt River basins to restore more water than the data center will consume. The Mesa Data Center will use at least 60% less water than the average data center.
“We’re excited to welcome Facebook’s state-of-the-art data operations to Arizona,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Arizona has become one of the leading destinations for data centers anywhere in the world, and with the addition of Facebook, we demonstrate once again our premier attractiveness for technology. We look forward to partnering with Facebook to prioritize sustainability and conservation as we add to Arizona’s already thriving technology ecosystem.”
Facebook’s data centers minimize waste and incorporate greener products, which have helped the company achieve LEED Gold certification for all their data center projects.
“Facebook joins other tech giants in making the wise decision to locate in Mesa’s Elliot Road Tech Corridor,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles. “Our city’s robust infrastructure and overall livability coupled with Facebook’s boost to economic vitality and commitment to give back in the community make this a good match for Mesa.”
Before selecting Mesa, Facebook conducted an extensive, multi-year site selection process spanning numerous locations. The leading technology company chose Mesa for the city’s strong pool of talent, accessible infrastructure and vibrant community.
Data centers serve critical roles in the technology industry, providing reliable data storage and processing, while enabling residents and businesses to increase productivity and enhance existing technology infrastructure.
Arizona and Phoenix have evolved into a national leader for data center locations. Last year, an industry study ranked the Phoenix area no. 2 in data center growth. In addition, last month, Business Facilities ranked Phoenix third for data centers in its 2021 State Rankings Report.
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