Facebook parent company brings data center, jobs to Aiken
GRANITEVILLE, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster visited Aiken County on Thursday for the announcement of a new data center by social media giant Meta.
The 715,000-square-foot center at the Sage Mill Industrial Park in Graniteville will bring 100 operational jobs as well as 1,000 construction jobs. It represents a more than $800 million investment, according to the company.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said this is its first operation in South Carolina.
You may be wondering what exactly a data center is. When your phone is backed up to the cloud, it actually gets stored in data centers.
These centers need a constant supply of energy to operate, which is why Meta says it is partnering with Aiken Electric Cooperative to ensure the data center’s electricity use is matched with 100% renewable energy.
“Our mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together,” said Kevin Janda, leader of the Meta Center strategy team. “That starts right here with this Aiken data center.”
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The facility is expected to be operational in the spring 2027.
“Meta’s decision to locate its newest operation in Aiken County is a major win for South Carolina’s thriving technology industry,” McMaster said. “Meta’s $800 million investment will significantly impact our economy, creating valuable jobs and further driving innovation.”
He said state officials look forward to building a strong partnership with Meta that will benefit communities and enhance the Palmetto State’s reputation as a technological leader.
“This is all common sense,” said McMaster. “We got to have electricity, and we have to have power.”
They say this data center is going to help bring all of those technologies to life, but their commitment extends beyond that to residents, small businesses, non-profits, and schools in Aiken County.
“We’re going to be rolling out our community action grants program, where we partner with schools and local organizations to put the power of technology to use for community benefit and improve steam education,” said Janda.
Meta said it chose Aiken because of the community’s strong workforce, infrastructure and access to community partners.
“It’s got excellent access to infrastructure and renewable energy,” said Janda. “Second, a strong pool of talent but, what stood out the most was an amazing set of community partners.”
It pledged to work with Aiken Electric Cooperative to add renewable energy to the grid.
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Meta operates more than two dozen data centers around the world that are part of the infrastructure for powering its tech services.
Governor McMaster says he is proud to help bring Meta’s 22nd data center in the U.S. to South Carolina.
“If you can’t find peace and happiness in comfort in the pine forests and the low country and a lot around a lot of oaks of South Carolina, you have to wait till you get to heaven because it doesn’t get any better than this right here,” said McMaster.
If you’re interested in working for Meta, visit the company’s careers page.
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