Key Takeaways

  • Meta confirmed plans for Project Anthem, a more than $1 billion data center now under construction in east Tulsa.
  • The development is expected to generate about 1,000 construction jobs and 100 permanent roles.
  • Residents have raised concerns about electricity costs, noise and infrastructure strain, prompting public pushback.

The announcement from Meta landed with a mix of anticipation and resistance, a split that has become increasingly common as large-scale data center development accelerates across the United States. Project Anthem has been a topic of discussion in Tulsa for months, and the company confirmed this week that it is the entity behind the massive east Tulsa build.

The investment is sizable. Meta says the facility surpasses the $1 billion mark and will eventually employ around 100 full-time workers after bringing in roughly 1,000 construction laborers during the build phase. For state leaders, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, the confirmation was framed as a win for Oklahoma's push to attract more digital infrastructure. Stitt pointed to the state's business-friendly environment and predictable regulatory climate as key factors for companies like Meta.

Outside the event, the tone was different. Protesters gathered to spotlight what they view as the hidden costs of hosting hyperscale infrastructure. Cheyenna Morgan, one of the demonstrators, cited concerns about electric rate increases, noise pollution and construction safety. These concerns reflect broader national questions about the long-term impact of supporting dense clusters of high-capacity computing facilities and whether communities are fully prepared for the infrastructure implications that come with them.

Meta has responded to the pushback by stating Project Anthem will be self-sustaining. Company officials emphasized that they are committed to building the necessary infrastructure to ensure the facility does not overload local power and water resources.

The facility's strategic importance to Meta is clear. A vice president for the company described the site as part of the backbone that supports products such as Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. It will also play a role in Meta's artificial intelligence deployment strategy, supporting large-scale AI workloads that require consistent access to compute resources.

Construction is underway between 11th and 21st Streets near the Creek Turnpike. The company expects completion in 2028, which aligns with standard timelines for projects of this size. Hyperscale builds often span several years, depending on permitting, power availability and supply chain conditions. Oklahoma has already established itself as a competitive region for these facilities. Google operates major campuses in Pryor, Stillwater and Muskogee County, and other operators have expanded footprints across Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Workforce development is another key component of the project. Meta says it will partner with Tulsa Tech and Tulsa Community College to create programs focused on skilled trades, with the potential to graduate as many as 200 students yearly. Some of those students could land roles within the new data center environment, while others will feed into Oklahoma's broader technical workforce.

Concerns remain regarding the broader impacts of such developments. Residents gathering to protest have questioned infrastructure strain and environmental impacts tied to the new data center. Meta's assurances about sustainable design will be watched closely and likely scrutinized once the facility is operational.

Even with the pushback, development momentum across Oklahoma continues. Multiple new sites are proposed or already under construction. The state's bet on data center recruitment is reshaping local economies, utility planning and workforce programs.

In the end, Project Anthem fits neatly into a broader map of hyperscale expansion. It is a statement about where Meta believes its future infrastructure must live and a reflection of how states like Oklahoma are positioning themselves to capture the next wave of digital industry investment. Whether local concerns soften or intensify, the project is already altering the trajectory of east Tulsa's development.