“For this project, Meta is paying their own way. They’re covering the full cost of electricity for the water that they’re going to use, and so Oklahoma ratepayers are not footing the bill,” Stitt said, while at the same time admitting there was opposition. “I think it’s important for people to understand, I want to make sure that electricity costs stay the most affordable in the country for our citizens.”
While he made the announcement, about a dozen protesters were outside the event center where the governor gathered with Tulsa leaders and representatives of Meta.
“We produce more energy than we consume in Oklahoma, giving companies like Meta the reliable and affordable power they need to grow and innovate,” added the governor.
The Oklahoma Eagle reported Meta plans to partner with Tulsa Tech and Tulsa Community College to create digital infrastructure projects, which Meta vice president of data center development Gary Demasi predicts will generate 200 graduates a year. It also plans to give $3 million in grant money to a number of community initiatives in the area, like Eastside Rise, to expand neighborhood enhancement programs across east Tulsa.
Meta also plans to offer data center community action grants program in Tulsa, Rogers and Wagner counties and funding will target schools and nonprofits that use technology for the benefit of their communities.
Economic breaks for Meta
Meta will also receive an annual 85% exemption on its property tax bill. The remaining 15% collected is estimated to raise $36 million over the lifespan of a 25-year incentive district.
The general contractor for the massive project is Fortis Construction. In 2024, Fortis Construction was named by Engineering News-Record as one of the nation’s top-10 data center builders. Building Design+ Construction also named Fortis as one of the nation’s top 10 data center builders.
The groundbreaking in Tulsa came as Meta confirmed intentions to cut 10 percent of its work force globally or about 8,000 employees. It will also close another 6,000 open roles, reported the New York Times.
Meta owns a number of popular programs including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. At the end of 2025, it employed more than 78,000 people.
“We’re doing this as part of our continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making,” Janelle Gale, Meta’s chief people officer, said in the memo to employees, reported the Times.
“This is not an easy trade-off and it will mean letting go of people who have made meaningful contributions to Meta during their time here.”
A spokesman for Meta confirmed the cuts and declined further comment.