In June of 2018, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, local leaders, and Facebook officials announced a $750 million project for a new data center in Huntsville, AL. The project, set to be completed in 2020, would be one of several new construction projects Facebook had in store for its company. But with the coronavirus now spreading across the country, has Facebook met its 2020 goal? Here we provide you with the updates:
About the Project
The Huntsville facility will be one of several data centers Facebook has around the world. Working in concert with this global data center network, the facility would connect the more than 2 billion Facebook users with their corresponding apps and services. It would also employ roughly 100 people in high-paying jobs.
The project, known as Project Starbelt, will cost approximately $750 million for the company. It will be located in the North Huntsville Industrial Park, spreading out around 340 acres, with the entire facility coming in at 970,000 square feet.
Delays from the Coronavirus
While Facebook’s plans were ambitious, no one could have foreseen the coronavirus’ impact back in 2018. Construction was scheduled for completion in 2020, but Facebook was forced to pause construction efforts after the outbreak of COVID-19.
In a post on March 23, Facebook stated: “To help protect the health and safety of construction crews during the COVID-19 outbreak, we are significantly reducing construction activities at our site. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on site as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Thankfully, work has slowly returned to the Huntsville facility, and the project is scheduled for completion in 2021.
At Construction Protection Systems, we’re proud to have had the opportunity to play a small part in the construction of Project Starbelt. Stay tuned for more updates from the innovators of 1-2-3 Door Shield—the original, reusable door protection system.