Hunt Midwest announced that Google will build a $1 billion data center at the Hunt Midwest Business Center in Kansas City, Missouri, as the tech company expands its presence throughout the Midwest.
The Hunt Midwest Business Center provides Google with the land, on-site power and fiber optic connectivity to better support its technology platform.
In addition, Google announced that it is expanding a skilled trades career development program to the region and contributing to the North Kansas City School District's STEAM alternative education program.
“Google's choice of the Kansas City area is another example of our state's ability to attract and support world-class companies,” said Missouri Governor Mike Parsons. “Our skilled workforce, superior infrastructure and leading business climate continue to drive investment from leading employers. We welcome Google to Missouri and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our growing high-tech sector.”
Missouri Governor Mike Parson speaks during Google's announcement at Hunt Midwest Business Park.
(Photo courtesy of Hunt Midwest.)
Other Kansas City officials also praised the news.
“Kansas City continues to be one of the fastest-growing technology markets in the country, thanks to our prime location with thousands of hard-working, skilled workers,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. “Our combined effort with Google strongly reflects Kansas City's success in global industry and our future as an international technology capital.”
Google officials said the Hunt Midwest Business Park provided the ideal location for the company's expansion efforts.
“We've reached a major inflection point for technological innovation like artificial intelligence, and data centers are the backbone of that progress,” said Monique Picou, Global Vice President of Cloud Supply Chain and Operations with Google. “Our announcement today is a testament to the resources, talent and welcoming spirit of the Kansas City community. Together, Kansas City and Google will help strengthen America's digital future, and we are excited to contribute to the region's bright future.”
For Hunt Midwest officials, Google's decision is more proof that the company's business park remains a desirable destination for companies of all sizes.
“Google's decision to locate its new data center campus in the Hunt Midwest Business Center is the culmination of the long-term vision and sustained teamwork of so many strategic partners at every level,” said Ora Reynolds, president and CEO, Hunt Midwest.
“Ten years ago, the Missouri Legislature created economic development programs designed to give the state the tools to compete for valuable data center projects,” Reynolds said. “With the leadership of our economic development organizations, local community stakeholders and the utility provider's commitment to invest in tomorrow, this collective group has now brought one of the world's largest and most transformative technology companies to Kansas City. We have also created a long-term strategy to ensure we can provide the infrastructure, labor and fiscal certainty necessary to grow our mission-critical footprint for years to come.”
“This is an important day for our state as we officially welcome Google to Missouri,” said Subash Alias, CEO of the Missouri Partnership. “Google's decision to expand to Missouri is the culmination of the dedicated efforts of many partners, and we were honored to be a part of the team. We warmly welcome Google as we look forward to integrating them into our thriving technology ecosystem.”
As part of its commitment to community development, Google has announced that it will bring its Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) program to the Kansas City area. The company partners with the Missouri Works Initiative and the Urban League to help grow the entry-level pipeline in skilled trades with a focus on underrepresented communities. All STAR pre-employment programs are paid training programs and offer networking opportunities to help participants move directly into employment on local construction projects.
“Technology employs one in 10 workers in Kansas City,” said Tracey Lewis, President and CEO of the Kansas City Economic Development Corporation. “We are excited that Google's presence will add to this significant and growing number of job opportunities in our great community.”
Over 65% of young people today will work in jobs that don't yet exist, but many are not developing the problem-solving skills and digital competencies needed to prepare for this future. To help bridge the gap, Google is helping support the technology needs of the North Kansas City School District with a contribution of more than $100,000 to the STEAM center, which prepares high school students with the skills they need to tackle their biggest challenges and future opportunities. variety of branches.
Google also announced a power purchase agreement with Ranger Power and DESRI to support 400 megawatts of new carbon-free power on the grid from the Beavertail, Missouri-based solar farm. The Beavertail Solar Farm is located in a former coal community and will be part of the evolution toward a clean energy future happening across the country.
The deal will support Google's ambitious 2030 goal to run all of its data centers and campuses on carbon-free energy, every hour of the day. Today, the company already matches 100% of its global annual electricity consumption with renewable energy purchases, and as a leader in computing infrastructure, Google's data centers are some of the most efficient in the world.
