$6 billion Meta, Corning deal will support Meta’s New Albany data center expansion
Meta Platforms and Corning announced a multibillion-dollar, multiyear agreement to supply advanced optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions for Meta’s expanding artificial intelligence data centers across the United States, including one in Central Ohio.
The deal, valued at up to $6 billion, is described by both companies as a commitment through 2030 and positions Corning as a key supplier for Meta’s infrastructure needs. Corning will ramp up production at facilities in North Carolina, including a significant capacity expansion at its optical cable plant in Hickory, where Meta serves as the anchor customer.
The fiber-optic cables will support Meta’s expansion at the New Albany data center, a super hub focused on enhanced connectivity.
“This long-term partnership with Meta reflects Corning’s commitment to develop, innovate, and manufacture the critical technologies that power next-generation data centers here in the U.S.,” Corning Chairman and CEO Wendell P. Weeks said in a statement.
The investment will expand Corning’s manufacturing footprint in North Carolina and support a projected 15% to 20% increase in employment levels there.
Corning, which already employs more than 5,000 people in the state, including scientists, engineers and production teams at two of the world’s largest optical fiber and cable facilities, expects the agreement to sustain and grow this skilled workforce. Industry estimates tied to the expansion suggest the addition of roughly 750 to 1,000 new jobs in North Carolina.
Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan emphasized the broader benefits.
“Building the most advanced data centers in the U.S. requires world-class partners and American manufacturing,” Kaplan said in a release. “This collaboration will help create good-paying, skilled U.S. jobs, strengthen local economies, and help secure the U.S. lead in the global AI race.”
The agreement underscores surging demand for high-performance fiber optic products amid the AI boom. These materials enable the high-density, high-speed connections essential for large-scale data centers that power Meta’s apps, technologies, and AI ambitions.
Meta operates data centers nationwide, including major sites in Ohio and others under development. By committing private-sector funds to domestic suppliers, the partnership strengthens U.S. supply chains and reduces reliance on foreign manufacturing for critical AI infrastructure.
Corning’s expansions in North Carolina highlight how hyperscale tech investments are driving economic growth in manufacturing hubs, creating high-quality jobs and fostering innovation in advanced materials.
The deal arrives as data center construction accelerates nationwide to meet AI-driven needs, contributing to broader economic momentum in states with strong fiber and tech ecosystems.
