By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
Facebook announced on Aug. 12 it will build a new $800 million, 960,000-square-foot data center in Mesa.
The Facebook center will create 1,500 construction jobs and 100 operational positions, according to the Arizona Commerce Authority.
The operation will have a focus on sustainability and water efficiency, according to ACA and the social media giant.
“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, vice president 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.”
The Mesa data center will use at least 60% less water than the average data center, according to Facebook.
“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.”
The data center is slated for Facebook-owned property at Ellsworth Road and Elliot Road in the East Valley. Google, Microsoft and Apple also have data center in the Phoenix metro area.
“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.”
