Google has announced an historic $15 billion investment for a new data center in New Florence, Missouri, a project the company says will create thousands of jobs and create significant impact on the state’s economy.
The project marks the largest technology investment in the state’s history as the demand for artificial intelligence and cloud computing capacity continues to grow, according to officials on Wednesday.
State leaders and company officials touted the joint partnership during a celebration in Montgomery County.
Speakers also ought to dismiss concerns about the data center’s use of electricity and water resources.
Data centers run 24 hours a day and seven days a week while consuming large amounts of power. As more facilities are built for cloud computing and artificial intelligence, utilities can sometimes struggle to keep up with the demand.
In an effort to ease local residents' concerns about electric bills, Google said it will continue to pay for 100 percent of the power the data center uses and any new infrastructure costs that are directly driven by its operations, a requirement under the consumer protections law signed by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe in 2025.
Google also unveiled a $20 million energy impact fund to support programs to drive down monthly energy bills for Missouri households.
The company also said it will pay for any new infrastructure costs that are directly driven by its operations.
Additionally, Public of Affairs Manager for the state of Missouri Trystine Payfer said the facility will operate differently than others.
"This is an air cooled facility so the only water usage will be from kitchens and bathrooms," Payfer said.
Kehoe said the historic investment boosts his state’s reputation as a premier destination for innovation and next-generation technology.
“We are proud to partner with companies like Google that are helping drive economic growth while making a meaningful difference in the communities they call home,” Kehoe said in a statement.
The project is currently in the pre-construction phase and is set to be completed in the next two years.