Google invests $9B in Oklahoma AI & Cloud expansion
Google is making a monumental commitment to the future of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, announcing an additional $9 billion investment over the next two years to expand its infrastructure in Oklahoma. This significant capital injection will bolster the state’s role as a pivotal hub for hyperscale growth in the United States, driven by the escalating demand for AI workloads and robust cloud services.
The substantial investment targets two key locations: a brand-new data center campus slated for Stillwater and a significant expansion of Google’s existing facility in Pryor, situated in Mayes County. The Stillwater site, spanning approximately 400 acres, is projected to cost up to $3 billion alone and will be developed in phases, with each data center module encompassing around 300,000 square feet. This strategic expansion underscores Google’s deep roots in Oklahoma, where it has operated for nearly two decades, with its Pryor facility being one of the company’s largest globally.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, Google’s $9 billion commitment extends to comprehensive workforce development and educational initiatives across Oklahoma. A crucial component involves a partnership with the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA), aimed at dramatically increasing the state’s electrical workforce pipeline by 135 percent by 2030. This initiative is designed to cultivate the skilled labor necessary to support new energy infrastructure projects and the growing demands of AI-driven operations.
Further enriching Oklahoma’s talent pool, Google is integrating the state’s educational institutions into its broader $1 billion commitment to American education and competitiveness. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University are among the first cohort of the Google AI for Education Accelerator, providing their students with complimentary access to Google Career Certificates and specialized AI training courses for a year. This forward-thinking program aims to equip Oklahoma’s students with vital AI and job-ready skills, fostering a robust talent pipeline that will not only power the state’s future but also contribute significantly to America’s leadership in artificial intelligence.
The economic ripple effects of this investment are expected to be substantial. Google’s operations already generated an impressive $2.2 billion in economic activity for tens of thousands of Oklahoma businesses, nonprofits, and developers in 2024 alone. Governor Kevin Stitt lauded the $9 billion investment as a “huge win” for the state, attributing Google’s decision to Oklahoma’s business-friendly environment, abundant energy resources, and strong educational partnerships. Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce echoed this sentiment, calling Google’s choice a testament to the strength of the local economy and workforce.
In alignment with its global sustainability goals, Google intends for both the new Stillwater facility and the expanded Pryor site to be powered in part by new clean energy capacity. The company has already secured power purchase agreements for a substantial 724 megawatts of solar energy across Oklahoma, including projects like Salt Branch, Huckleberry, and Mayes Solar.
This $9 billion commitment is part of Alphabet’s aggressive capital expenditure strategy, which has seen its annual allocation for 2025 raised to an estimated $85 billion, with approximately two-thirds earmarked for AI-focused servers. Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, emphasized that these investments are helping to “power a new era of American innovation.” Beyond economic growth, this strategic move also addresses national security concerns, ensuring the United States maintains the necessary infrastructure and expertise to compete effectively in the global AI landscape.