Corning is Supporting the Next Phase of American AI Infrastructure with Optical Cable Manufacturing Expansion in North Carolina | Corning

Mike O’Day
Published: April 16, 2026

The infrastructure that will power the next generation of artificial intelligence is being built now — and Hickory, North Carolina, is part of that story. At Corning Optical Communications’ Trivium manufacturing facility, we recently marked the start of construction on an expansion that supports the growing demands of advanced data centers.

For Corning, it was a moment that connected past and future: an investment grounded in decades of manufacturing leadership and an important step in supporting the next phase of AI infrastructure as part of our collaboration with Meta.

A single hyperscale data center can require millions of miles of fiber, and as AI continues to advance, the demands placed on data center infrastructure are evolving rapidly. Scale and density, packing more fiber into smaller spaces to accommodate AI data demands, are increasingly critical requirements. Meeting those demands depends on advanced technology and the ability to manufacture with quality and consistency at scale.

That is what makes our work with Meta so significant.

A Collaboration Built on Shared Objectives

Earlier this year, Corning and Meta announced a multiyear, up to $6 billion agreement to support the buildout of advanced data centers in the United States. Under the agreement, Corning will supply Meta with our latest innovations in optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions. The Trivium expansion — where Meta will serve as the anchor customer — is a key milestone in that collaboration. 

We were honored to be joined by representatives from Meta, the City of Hickory, Catawba County, and other state and local government leaders. Their presence underscores something important: this expansion isn't just a Corning milestone. It's a community milestone — and a statement about the enduring strength of North Carolina's manufacturing ecosystem.

This work builds on Corning’s long‑standing presence in North Carolina, where more than 5,000 employees support optical fiber and cable manufacturing across the state. The expansion will support an increase in Corning’s employment levels in North Carolina by approximately 15 to 20 percent, reinforcing the region’s role in advanced manufacturing and technology infrastructure.

None of this happens without the Trivium team — the Corning workers, many who are second and third-generation Corning employees, whose skill, dedication, and commitment to excellence support our ability to deliver at scale. North Carolina's highly capable workforce and the strong, long-standing support of state and local leaders have made this growth possible. We are proud to continue growing here.

I think Dan Sachs, Meta’s Vice President of Public Policy – State and Local, said it perfectly: “As America advances its lead in AI, the infrastructure we build today will determine whether we stay ahead tomorrow. High-performance connectivity is at the heart of this work.  Our collaboration with Corning supports our goal of strengthening domestic manufacturing, supporting good jobs in North Carolina, and building a foundation for the next era of American innovation.” 

Among the many state and local leaders at the groundbreaking, Annette Taylor, Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Opportunity, N.C. Department of Information Technology told the crowd:  “Corning's continued investment across the state, and its collaboration with industry leaders like Meta, has created thousands of advanced manufacturing jobs in North Carolina and positioned our state at the forefront of innovation.” 

The groundbreaking at Trivium reflects a shared commitment to preparing for that future. It represents both expanded manufacturing capacity and continued investment in the capabilities required to support next-generation data center infrastructure.

As Corning celebrates its 175th year, this moment highlights the importance of long-term investment and collaboration. We continue to innovate, invest, and work closely with customers as technology requirements evolve.

Looking ahead, progress in AI infrastructure will depend on this type of close collaboration across the technology ecosystem.  Corning remains focused on delivering the optical fiber, cable, and connectivity solutions that support the performance, scale, and reliability required by advanced data centers.  We’re excited about what comes next and proud that our workforce in Hickory will continue to play a central role in building it.