Scoring Google’s $1B data center feels like Super Bowl overtime as KC keeps notching wins, officials say
March 20, 2024 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Kansas City is hitting it out of the ballpark, said Mike Parson, returning from the governor’s office to the region Wednesday for yet another major economic development announcement — this time, a billion-dollar Google data center coming in 2025.
“Maybe I should say, ‘You’re hitting it out of the ballpark and scoring touchdowns,” Parson, R-Missouri, told a crowd gathered for the data center’s announcement.
“Google’s selection of the Kansas City region is another example of our state’s ability to attract and support world-class companies,” the governor added.
RELATED: Google to build $1B data center in Kansas City; aiming for 24/7 carbon-free energy use
Wednesday’s announcement comes nearly two years to the date of Google rival Meta’s unveiling of plans to build an $800 million data center in the region.
Jon Stephens, president and CEO of Port KC, speaks during an announcement event for Google’s billion-dollar data center in Kansas City; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“Every time we see the governor in Kansas City, it’s a good thing,” noted Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council, “because we’re either recruiting a company here or we’re — like today — announcing a big opportunity.”
Kansas City is on a roll, shared Jon Stephens, president and CEO of Port KC.
“But we never want to take it for granted,” he added.
Kansas City has always been a hub of communications, a hub of logistics, a hub of transportation, Stephens noted.
“From messages coming up the Missouri River, to the Pony Express, to the telegraph, to becoming the world’s first Giga City,” he continued. “Google’s commitment to Kansas City today is just the latest case of that crossroads of becoming a logistic center for data, information, technology for the future.”
Ora Reynolds, president and CEO of Hunt Midwest, joins Google in celebrating the announcement of Google’s billion-dollar data center in Kansas City; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
The new Google data center — which could open as soon as 2025 — is set to be located in the Hunt Midwest Business Center on NE Parvin Road.
“I feel like we are in overtime at the Super Bowl and we just won,” said Ora Reynolds, president and CEO of Hunt Midwest, which was founded by the Hunt family, who also own the Kansas City Chiefs.
Monique Picou, global vice president of cloud supply chain and operations for Google, announces the tech giant’s plans for a billion-dollar data center in Kansas City; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Monique Picou, Google global vice president of cloud supply chain and operations, is no stranger to Kansas City and even calls herself a Chiefs fan.
“My first adult full time job was in the Kansas City metro,” she explained, “and how nice to come back and to get to talk about new jobs.”
“And how much better is it that I get to come to this airport,” she added, noting the new terminal at Kansas City International Airport, another recent victory for Kansas City.
Google’s announcement is a testament to the resources, talent and welcoming spirit of the Kansas City community, she continued.
“Together, Kansas City and Google will help power America’s digital future and we are excited to contribute to the bright future of the region,” she said.”
Featured Business
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Two startup support programs helped Lelex Prime score Fountain Innovation Fund’s first investment
An interconnected, resource-rich startup ecosystem is paying off for Lelex Prime — contributing to the fast-growing artificial intelligence company’s development and boosting its chances to win the Fountain Innovation Fund’s first cash infusion, said Brendan Reilly. “The Digital Sandbox helped us land this investment,” said Reilly, co-founder and principal at Lelex Prime, which joined the…
UMKC celebrates Maria Meyers for driving social entrepreneurship, ecosystem building in KC
Kansas City’s most tenacious advocate, Maria Meyers has built far more than a legacy for herself, proclaimed Mary Bloch. “I first met Maria Meyers in the mid-90s when we were both involved in the renovation of Union Station,” Bloch, civic leader and daughter-in-law of H&R Bloch founder Henry W. Bloch, said as she recognized Meyers,…
Entrepreneur of the Year: Michael Rea says building a startup takes a ‘strong stomach’
The road to startup success isn’t a clear path for anyone, acknowledged Michael Rea, and it takes a founder’s persistence to reach his or her desired destination. “Many people set out on an entrepreneurial journey, but few complete it,” Rea, founder and CEO of Rx Savings Solutions, told a crowd gathered Friday night for the…
Launch Health check-up: Spoke Health aims to give consumers value-based choices in care
Editor’s note: The following is part of a series of stories on the six cohort companies of the Launch Health Accelerator, powered by Nueterra Capital and sponsored by LaunchKC. Click here to read all the stories published in this series. Medical experiences are taxing — Spoke Health aims to cut the stress and give patients…