Google CEO Sundar Pichai was joined by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to announce a $600 million expansion of its data center at the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor, Okla. The project is expected to increase staff at the facility to more than 500 and is part of Google’s $14 billion investment in U.S. data centers.
“We’re proud to make another $600 million investment in the great community of Mayes County,” Pichai said in a statement. “The Pryor Data Center is part of the engine that makes it possible for Google to help billions of people around the world. We look forward to being a part of this community for years to come.”
Google’s Pryor data center is the company’s second largest in the world, trailing behind only the data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
“The state of Oklahoma and Mayes County and Pryor have just welcomed us with open arms,” said Andrew Silvestri, head of public policy and community development for Google data centers in the Americas. “Our community partners, our elected leaders, as well as just the spirit of this state and our talent base, have made it just an easy process to continue to expand and deepen our roots here in the state.
“We’ve called Oklahoma home for over a decade. You will see us continue to grow in significant ways over the next several years and beyond.”
Gov. Stitt highlighted the company’s continued investment as a reason for continuing to focus on business-friendly policies and increased workforce training.
“I can’t underscore enough the importance that we continue to be a business-friendly state, continue to develop and train our workforce,” Gov. Kevin Stitt said. “…That’s the reason these companies continue to invest and grow in our great state.
“I believe when we get these technology clusters in our state, they are going to continue to grow and there will be more and more investments and more and more opportunities for all of our citizens.”
