More data center building is popping up around Oklahoma even as the state awaits its own new data centers possibly in Stillwater, Chickasha and Yukon.
The latest was in West Memphis, Arkansas where Google officials gathered with city leaders to announce the first phase of the $4 billion cloud and artificial intelligence data center project. It’s being described as one of the largest economic investments ever made in the state.
The site is 1,100 acres located about 15 minutes from the Arkansas-Tennessee state line and West Memphis Mayor Marco McLendon praised it, calling it the “biggest day” in “Best” Memhis history. He also called it the start of a “Digital Delta West,” reported the Arkansas Advocate.
Ruth Porat, president and chief innocation officer of Google’s parent company alphabet said the porject would create thousands of construction jobs. Once the project was completed, it would mean hundreds of permanent jobs.
Electrical power will be supported by Entergy Arkansas through a solar array and existing power generation. Google also plans to invest $25 million in an “Energy Impact Fund” to support local energy efficiency initiatives in the city.
Both Entergy and Google leaders promised to keep electricity down for ratepayers. Energy claimed its $1.1 billion in benefits from the project will be passed on to its customers.
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