Google announced on Wednesday it will invest $15 billion in a data center development in Missouri’s Montgomery County.

“Today, we announced a historic $15 BILLION investment in Missouri from Google. This project is about more than infrastructure in Montgomery County—it’s about connectivity. Connecting communities to opportunity, workers to good-paying jobs, and Missouri to the future economy,” said Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe.

The development will be located approximately one hour west of St. Louis on over 900 acres near the Interstate 70 and Highway 19 interchange, adjacent to a site where Amazon previously committed to building a $35 billion data center. The announcement did not include specific details about the project itself, though materials published by Montgomery County describe a multi-building campus designed with closed-loop, non-evaporative air cooling technology intended to limit water use and reduce environmental impact.

Data centers have faced pushback from local communities nationwide, with water and electricity concerns being common issues. For example, The St. Charles City Council voted on Tuesday to ban data center development in their area.

“Google’s historic investment in Montgomery County is a testament to Missouri’s growing reputation as a premier destination for innovation and next-generation technology,” Kehoe said.

“Beyond the significant economic impact and job creation, Google has demonstrated a true commitment to strengthening the community through local partnerships, investments, grants, and support for area businesses. This project represents more than infrastructure—it’s an investment in Missouri families, communities, and long-term opportunity. 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,” he added.

“We look forward to expanding Google’s investments in Missouri and helping Missourians benefit from the next wave of American innovation,” said Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google.

“To deliver the upside of technology, we are investing in workforce development and energy affordability, both directly and through partnerships with local organizations. This commitment will provide thousands of Missourians with valuable technical and trade skills while supporting energy affordability for residents in Montgomery County and across the state,” Porat stated.

Google indicated that the project would create “thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions.” The company also confirmed the use of air cooling technology to avoid water supply issues and pledged a $20 million investment aimed at reducing energy costs for residents.

This development comes amid intense community concerns over an additional Amazon Web Services data center in the county. Montgomery County commissioners approved tax abatements for that project in December 2025. Town halls held that month drew large crowds of residents opposed to the project.

In February, a community group filed a lawsuit alleging that commissioners violated the Missouri Sunshine Law by not providing sufficient advance notice of meetings regarding data center projects, failing to disclose water usage details for Amazon’s facility, and conducting closed-door sessions. The lawsuit seeks to halt the project until relevant information is made public. A hearing on June 1 is scheduled.

For Google’s data center, Kehoe noted that each direct job at the site would generate nine additional community jobs. The company also committed to collaborating with the Construction Laborers and Contractors Joint Training Fund of Eastern Missouri to “support training for more than 2,300 construction workers over the next two years.”