Meta is expanding its Eagle Mountain Data Center campus and increasing its community investment through a $600,000 donation to help the Lake Mountain School District acquire three acres for a future K-6 elementary school. The announcement, made by city and company leaders last week, marks the first time a private business has funded the permanent foundation of a district campus in the area.
Securing Land for District Growth
The land grant is intended to help the school district secure property before rising costs make it unaffordable, a priority as the district prepares for significant growth. Lake Mountain School District is set to begin operations on July 1, 2027, following the split of the Alpine School District into three entities—Aspen Peaks, Lake Mountain, and Timpanogos—after Utah County voters approved Proposition 11 in 2024. Once operational, the district is projected to serve more than 26,000 students across Cedar Fort, Eagle Mountain, Fairfield, and Saratoga Springs.
Investment in Student Literacy
In addition to the land acquisition, Meta is committing $1.5 million to the Lake Mountain Education Foundation, a contribution triggered by reaching a construction milestone on the expanded data center. The company has also pledged an ongoing annual contribution of $50,000 to the foundation to support initiatives such as early childhood literacy. Lake Mountain School District Superintendent Vicki Carter stated the funds will target programs for students, specifically focusing on early readers.
Regional Scholarship Support
The scholarship provisions included in the deal will extend beyond the new district's boundaries. As the Alpine-Highland-Lehi Tribune reported, the Lake Mountain Board of Education negotiated $10,000 in Meta-funded student scholarships for both the Aspen Peaks and Timpanogos school districts. Board President Julie King noted that supporting students should not stop at district boundaries, adding that the success of neighboring districts strengthens the entire region.
Economic and Job Impact
Meta's expansion in Eagle Mountain includes three new data center buildings, an administration building, and a warehouse on its 500-acre campus. The project is expected to create approximately 1,200 construction jobs at peak activity and more than 300 permanent operational roles, with the majority of positions intended for residents of Utah County and surrounding communities. Eagle Mountain Mayor Jared Gray noted that Meta has been a presence in the city for eight years, providing investments in roads, water systems, and grid upgrades.
Broader Community Contributions
The company's total capital investment in Utah has now exceeded $3 billion. Beyond education, Meta has contributed $4.85 million to the Eagle Mountain Affordable Housing Fund, which has assisted 66 local families with mortgage assistance. The company has also provided more than $6.2 million to local organizations, including hydroponics programs at Cedar Valley High School and the Small Business Launchpad at the Valley Crossroads Chamber of Commerce.
Infrastructure and Environmental Efforts
Meta's expansion also brings new energy and water restoration capabilities to the region. The company is adding new power to the grid through projects like the Faraday Energy Storage project, a 150-megawatt battery facility owned by Lydian Energy that is expected to come online later this year. Additionally, Meta's investment in three water restoration projects has returned over 726 million gallons to the local watershed, including a partnership to repurpose server cooling water to irrigate Cory Wride Memorial Park.
