Meta plans to open an $800 million data center in Rosemount, Minnesota, in 2026.

Facebook's parent company officially announced the long-expected facility this week, confirming that the site would be built by lead contractor Mortenson.

The 715,000 square foot (66,425 sq m) data center will be built on a 280-acre site at UMore Park in Rosemount, a former World War II gunpowder production site that was later owned by the University of Minnesota.

The announcement has been expected since Meta acquired the land for $40m last September and filed a plan to develop a data center with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

The new data center will support around 100 operational jobs and at least 1,000 skilled trade jobs at peak construction, the office of Governor Tim Walz claimed.

“Minnesota is excited to welcome Meta to Rosemount – a win for our state that will bring dozens of jobs and invigorate the local economy,” Walz said.

“Today’s announcement is a testament to our commitment to making Minnesota a top state for business, innovation, and investment in our workforce.”

Brad Davis, director of data center community and economic development at Meta, added: “We are extremely happy to make Minnesota and Rosemount our new home. We are committed to playing a positive role here and investing in the community's long-term vitality."

The facility will be built to Meta's new AI-focused design, which DCD exclusively profiled last November.

Earlier this year, Meta told investors that it would spend up to $37 billion on new digital infrastructure in 2024.