A farm-focused region of the U.S. state of Louisiana is seeing an unexpected boom from Meta's construction of a large AI data centre. With thousands of construction workers arriving, local businesses are picking up, from restaurants and cafes to bottled-water supplies and housing rentals.

Business Insider reported on Oct. 12 local time that Meta is building the Hyperion AI data centre in Holly Ridge, Louisiana, spanning about 10 million square feet, or about 929,000 square metres. The investment totals more than $50 billion, and more than 7,500 workers are expected to be deployed at peak construction.

A taco restaurant in nearby Rayville delivers food to construction workers 1 to 4 times a month. Revenue per delivery is $4,000 to $7,000, and about 40 percent of total monthly sales comes from Meta-related demand.

A cafe initially considered it a lot if it received more than 30 orders a day, but it now handles about 130 orders daily. It also opened a food-truck style outlet across from the construction site.

A household goods supplier founded in 2025 delivers 30 to 40 pallets of bottled water each week to the construction site. Housing demand has also surged. The average monthly rent for a furnished mobile home about 13 km from the site is $3,000.

Tax revenue has also increased sharply. According to the regional economic development agency Grow NELA, Richland Parish's annual sales tax revenue rose to $39 million last year from $21 million in 2024. It is forecast to reach $92 million this year.

It is unclear whether the construction boom will last. Meta's construction is expected to continue through 2030, but operating jobs after completion total about 1,000, fewer than during the construction period.

Local business owners are also preparing long-term survival strategies, such as retaining existing customers and securing new clients, to brace for a drop in demand after construction ends.