**$800 Million Data Center in Temple Reaches Construction Midpoint**
A major data center project in Temple, Texas, backed by Meta Platforms, has reached the halfway mark in its development. The 900,000-square-foot facility, located on a 384-acre site at 3101 Industrial Blvd.—approximately 75 miles north of Austin—began construction three years ago and is on track for completion by the end of 2026.
JE Dunn Construction is serving as the general contractor for the project, while HED is overseeing the design phase. Once operations begin, the center will support around 100 permanent jobs, with more than 1,200 construction workers contributing to the build.
The Temple development is part of a broader wave of data center activity across Central Texas. According to the Austin Business Journal, over a dozen data centers are in various stages of planning and construction in cities like Hutto, Georgetown, Taylor, and Uhland, as well as in counties such as Caldwell, Bastrop, and Williamson.
Key factors influencing site selection and development include electricity and water availability, workforce readiness, access to suitable land, and the considerable financial investment required. These elements are expected to remain front and center for both developers and local officials in the near future.
