Monroe, LA - Louisiana Delta Community College has received a historic $5 million donation from Meta to create scholarships that will train local residents for critical data center jobs connected to Meta’s expanding Richland Parish data center.
The donation will provide full scholarships for graduates of Richland Parish high schools, beginning with the Class of 2026. Eligible students will be able to pursue any data center-related trade certificate or course offered through Louisiana Delta Community College, helping them gain the skills needed for high-demand careers in the growing technology and construction sectors.
The announcement comes as Meta shares plans to expand its Richland Parish, Louisiana data center to 5GW of compute capacity. As the project grows, Louisiana Delta will continue working with Meta and industry partners to prepare residents for careers that support the construction, operation, and long-term success of the data center.
“This is a transformational investment in the people of Richland Parish and Northeast Louisiana,” said Dr. Justin Hoggard, Chancellor of Louisiana Delta Community College. “Meta’s generosity will remove financial barriers for local students and give them a direct pathway into strong careers connected to one of the most significant economic development projects in our state’s history. This gift will change lives, strengthen families, and help build the workforce needed for the future.”
The scholarships will support training in data center-related fields, including programs designed to prepare students for employment in areas such as data center operations, construction trades, electrical work, fiber optics, HVAC, and other technical fields connected to the data center industry.
"We're committed to investing in the communities where we operate, and that includes supporting critical workforce training efforts that connect local residents to real career opportunities. As we expand our data center in Richland Parish, we want to make sure the local community is first in line for the opportunities that come with it," said Henry Thornton, Community Development at Meta. "This $5 million investment in Louisiana Delta
Community College will create a direct pipeline from local classrooms to high-quality careers — removing financial barriers and continuing to build the skilled workforce here in Northeastern Louisiana"
Louisiana Delta has already been working with Meta and its data center partners to develop short-term workforce training programs aligned with industry needs. The $5 million donation will allow the college to expand access to those programs and ensure that Richland Parish students have the opportunity to participate in the region’s growing technology economy.
“Economic development is strongest when local people are prepared to benefit from it,” said Dr. Hoggard. “This gift ensures that students from Richland Parish will not only witness this growth, but will have the opportunity to be part of it.”
Scholarship details, eligible programs, and application information will be released by Louisiana Delta Community College in the coming months.
About Louisiana Delta Community College
Louisiana Delta Community College is a comprehensive community college serving Northeast Louisiana through academic, technical, workforce, and continuing education programs. With campuses and sites across the region, Louisiana Delta is committed to providing accessible education, workforce training, and pathways to meaningful careers.