Corning and Meta Form Multiyear Partnership for up to $6 Billion to Accelerate U.S. Data Center Buildout
•February 9, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
The deal strengthens U.S. data‑center capacity and domestic supply chains, supporting Meta’s AI growth and creating high‑skill jobs.
Key Takeaways
- •Up to $6 B multiyear deal between Corning and Meta.
- •Corning to supply advanced fiber cable for US data centers.
- •Manufacturing capacity expands at Hickory, NC facility.
- •Employment in North Carolina expected to rise 15‑20%.
- •Partnership boosts domestic supply chain for AI infrastructure.
Pulse Analysis
The rapid expansion of artificial‑intelligence workloads is driving an unprecedented demand for high‑bandwidth, low‑latency connectivity. U.S. data‑center operators are scrambling to secure domestic fiber solutions that can handle petabyte‑scale traffic while avoiding geopolitical supply‑chain risks. By locking in a multiyear, up‑to‑$6 billion contract, Meta ensures a reliable source of next‑generation optical components, positioning its AI platforms to scale faster than competitors reliant on imported hardware.
Corning’s expertise in glass‑based photonics makes it a natural partner for this effort. The company will upgrade its Hickory, North Carolina facility, adding new production lines for ultra‑low‑loss fiber and high‑density cable assemblies. This expansion not only boosts output capacity but also creates a surge in skilled manufacturing jobs, with employment projected to grow 15‑20 percent in the region. The investment reinforces a domestic ecosystem of engineers, scientists, and supply‑chain partners, reducing latency and cost for Meta’s data‑center deployments.
Strategically, the partnership signals a broader shift toward on‑shoring critical infrastructure for AI. As the United States vies for leadership in the global AI race, securing home‑grown fiber optics becomes a competitive advantage. Meta’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing aligns with policy incentives encouraging domestic tech investment, while also delivering economic benefits to local communities. The collaboration sets a precedent for other tech giants to follow, potentially catalyzing a wave of similar agreements that deepen the nation’s technological self‑sufficiency.
Corning and Meta Form Multiyear Partnership for up to $6 Billion to Accelerate U.S. Data Center Buildout
Corning Incorporated and Meta Platforms, Inc. Enter Multiyear $6 Billion Agreement to Accelerate Advanced Data Center Buildout in the United States
Corning Incorporated and Meta Platforms, Inc. are entering a multiyear, up to $6 billion agreement to accelerate the buildout of the most advanced data centers in the United States to support Meta’s apps, technologies, and AI ambitions.
Under the agreement, Corning will supply Meta with its newest innovations in optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions, the company said.
To support this, Corning will expand manufacturing capabilities across its operations in North Carolina—including a significant capacity expansion at its optical cable manufacturing facility in Hickory where Meta will serve as the anchor customer.
“This long‑term partnership with Meta reflects Corning’s commitment to develop, innovate, and manufacture the critical technologies that power next‑generation data centers here in the U.S.,” said Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and chief executive officer, Corning Incorporated. “The investment will expand our manufacturing footprint in North Carolina, support an increase in Corning’s employment levels in the state by 15 to 20 %, and help sustain a highly skilled workforce of more than 5,000—including the scientists, engineers, and production teams at two of the world’s largest optical fiber and cable manufacturing facilities. Together with Meta, we’re strengthening domestic supply chains and helping ensure that advanced data centers are built using U.S. innovation and advanced manufacturing.”
Meta is expanding its commitment to build industry‑leading data centers in the U.S. and to source advanced technology made domestically.
“Building the most advanced data centers in the U.S. requires world‑class partners and American manufacturing,” said Joel Kaplan, chief global affairs officer at Meta. “We’re proud to partner with Corning—a company with deep expertise in optical connectivity and commitment to domestic manufacturing—for the high‑performance fiber optic cables our AI infrastructure needs. This collaboration will help create good‑paying, skilled U.S. jobs, strengthen local economies, and help secure the U.S. lead in the global AI race.”
For more information about this news, visit www.corning.com.
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