Google is significantly expanding its presence in Oklahoma with a planned $9 billion investment over the next two years to bolster its cloud and AI infrastructure. This commitment aims to establish Oklahoma as a critical hub for hyperscale growth and solidify America's lead in AI technology. The investment will be directed towards constructing a new data center campus in Stillwater and expanding the existing facility in Pryor.
The new data center campus in Stillwater is projected to cost up to $3 billion and will be constructed in phases. Each data center is expected to span around 300,000 square feet. The existing Pryor data center, which opened in 2011, has already received an estimated $4.4 billion in investments to date. Google's data center in Mayes County has been operational since 2007, with Google committing more than $5.7 billion in Oklahoma since then.
This expansion is driven by the increasing demand for AI workloads and cloud services. Google anticipates that these new facilities will handle the surging demand for advanced computing, enabling large-scale data processing and emerging digital services. The company's President and Chief Investment Officer, Ruth Porat, stated that these investments are designed to help ensure the U.S. continues to lead in AI, while unlocking economic opportunity and creating jobs across Oklahoma.
Beyond infrastructure, Google is also investing in workforce development and education initiatives in Oklahoma. As part of a $1 billion commitment to American education and competitiveness, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University are part of the Google AI for Education Accelerator program. This program provides students with no-cost access to Google Career Certificates and AI training courses. Additionally, Google is partnering with the electrical training ALLIANCE to increase the electrical workforce pipeline in Oklahoma by 135%. This initiative aims to ensure there are enough skilled electricians to support the construction and operation of the new data centers and other energy infrastructure projects.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has emphasized the importance of this investment for the state, noting that the new Stillwater facility will be "focused more around AI" and will drive high-skilled employment. He also highlighted the state's business-friendly environment and affordable, reliable energy grid as key factors in Google's decision to expand in Oklahoma. Stillwater's mayor, Will Joyce, said Google's choice “is a testament to the strength of our economy, our workforce, and our commitment to community investment".
Google's commitment to Oklahoma extends beyond economic investments. The company has a history of supporting local communities through volunteer work and philanthropic giving. Google has invested over $5.7 billion in Oklahoma since 2007 and helped provide $2.2 billion of economic activity for Oklahoma businesses in 2024. Google employees have volunteered over 8,000 hours with nonprofits and schools since 2014, and the company has awarded more than $3 million in grants to Oklahoma nonprofits and schools since 2011.
Google also focuses on sustainability in its data center operations. The company matched 87% of its energy consumption with carbon-free energy in 2022-2023 from over 680MW of clean energy contracts in the state. Google has signed power purchase agreements for a 724 MW solar portfolio in Oklahoma. The company is also investing in water replenishment projects.
The new data center in Stillwater is expected to be completed in phases, with the first phase targeted for completion by 2027. The expansion of the Pryor facility is also underway. These projects are expected to create numerous jobs and contribute significantly to the state's economy.
