Corning and Meta agree ‘up to $6 billion’ fiber deal

28 Jan 2026

Aim is to support US data center buildout; Corning to expand its manufacturing facility in North Carolina.

Corning and Meta Platforms have announced a multi-year, “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 latest innovations in optical fiber, cable, and connectivity. 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, NC, 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 Weeks, Chairman and CEO at Corning.

‘Boosting employment’

“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 percent, and help sustain a highly skilled workforce of more than 5,000. 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.”

At the same time, 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.”

Key elements of the agreement

• Multiyear, up to $6 billion commitment.
• Corning to supply latest generation optical fiber, cable and connectivity products designed to meet the density and scale demands of advanced AI data centers.
• New optical cable manufacturing facility in Hickory, North Carolina, in addition to expanded production capacity across Corning’s North Carolina operations.
• Agreement supports Corning’s projected employment growth in North Carolina by 15 to 20 percent, sustaining a skilled workforce of more than 5,000 employees in the state, including thousands of jobs tied to two of the world’s largest optical fiber and cable manufacturing facilities.