Corning and Meta Expand Cable Manufacturing in North Carolina

New facility will boost fiber optic production to meet growing demand.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:33pm

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A close-up photograph of a bundle of shiny, metallic fiber optic cables arranged in an elegant, minimalist composition against a plain, dark background, symbolizing the critical role of this infrastructure in connecting the world.Corning's fiber optic cables, the backbone of global connectivity, are the focus of a major manufacturing expansion in North Carolina.Corning Today

Corning Incorporated and Meta Platforms, Inc. have announced the start of construction on a major expansion of Corning's cable manufacturing operations in North Carolina. The new facility will increase Corning's production capacity for fiber optic cables to meet the growing demand driven by Meta's investment in expanding internet connectivity.

Why it matters

The expansion is a significant investment in North Carolina's technology infrastructure and signals the continued growth of the state's role in the digital economy. It also highlights the close partnership between Corning, a leading manufacturer of optical fiber, and Meta, one of the world's largest technology companies.

The details

The new facility will be located in Hickory, North Carolina and is expected to create hundreds of new jobs in the region. Corning and Meta have collaborated closely on the project, with Meta providing input on the design and capabilities needed to support its connectivity initiatives. The expanded production capacity will help ensure a reliable supply of high-quality fiber optic cables to support the buildout of 5G networks, broadband internet, and other critical communications infrastructure.

  • Construction on the new facility began in March 2026.
  • The expansion is expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2027.

The players

Corning Incorporated

A leading global manufacturer of optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions for communications networks.

Meta Platforms, Inc.

The parent company of social media platform Facebook and a major investor in expanding global internet connectivity.

Hickory, North Carolina

The city where the new Corning cable manufacturing facility will be located.

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What they’re saying

“This expansion is a testament to our strong partnership with Meta and our shared commitment to building the infrastructure needed to connect the world.”

— Wendell P. Weeks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Corning Incorporated

“Corning's world-class optical fiber and cable solutions are critical to our efforts to expand internet access and connectivity globally.”

— Nicola Mendelsohn, Vice President of Global Business Group at Meta

What’s next

Corning and Meta expect the new facility to be fully operational by the end of 2027, ramping up production of fiber optic cables to support Meta's connectivity initiatives.

The takeaway

This expansion demonstrates the continued importance of North Carolina as a hub for technology manufacturing and the close collaboration between leading companies like Corning and Meta to build the digital infrastructure of the future.