Can AI Save This Failing Rural Economy?

Can AI Save This Failing Rural Economy?

From Big Take by Bloomberg and iHeartPodcasts

June 5, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

The episode explores the potential impact of Meta's new data center on a struggling rural economy in Louisiana.

By many metrics, Meta is falling behind in the AI race. So CEO Mark Zuckerberg is building one of the largest data centers in the world — a facility the size of about 3,000 football fields in one of the poorest regions in the US. On today’s Big Take podcast, host Sarah Holder sits down with Bloomberg reporter Riley Griffin, who traveled to Richland Parish, Louisiana, to hear from residents about the risks and opportunities they see as Meta comes to town. Will they reap the benefits? Or trade in one uncertain economy for another? Read more: Meta Goes Big on the Bayou We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Reported by Riley Griffin; Edited by Aaron Edwards. Fact-checking by Laura Newcombe and Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Engineering by Alex Sugiura. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Sarah Holder

Guest: Riley Griffin

Topics covered

  • AI
  • rural economy
  • Meta
  • data centers
  • community impact

Keywords

  • AI
  • Meta
  • data center
  • rural economy
  • Richland Parish
  • Mark Zuckerberg
  • community

Sponsors

Bloomberg

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Meta

Places: Richland Parish, Louisiana, US

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