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
KC Rising update: Kansas City falling short in economic race with peer markets
Bill Gautreaux sounded the alarm with a mixed refrain meant as a KC Rising call to action: “We’re good, but we’re not good enough.” Throughout a recent KC Rising update on the region’s economic growth, Gautreaux and other KC Rising leaders championed Kansas City’s efforts to move the needle, while also lamenting the slow speed…
Startup advocates rally, demand KCMO invest more of its $1.73B budget in entrepreneurs
If Kansas City leaders want to build a stronger community, they should start by supporting early stage entrepreneurs, said Lesa Mitchell. “I’m simply here to say — we’re not spending enough money … and we need to look at it,” Mitchell, managing director of Techstars Kansas City, told KCMO city council members Saturday during a public…
Edison Spaces selects two startups for its inaugural Jumpstart office space giveaway
The first fruit to bare in an effort of ecosystem elevation, two Kansas City startups have received a jumpstart — courtesy of Edison Spaces, the flexible office space provider announced Friday. “Ultimately, we know the challenges entrepreneurs face when starting a business, because we ourselves faced these challenges,” said Matt Druten, Edison Spaces CEO. A barrier…
A dating app for founders? Hotspots overhead? KCMO mayoral candidates pair up to pitch startup solutions
Bridging the digital divide in Kansas City is simple: Put WiFi hotspots in the trees, quipped Steve Miller, while pitching startup ideas — formed through on-the-spot brainstorming — to a crowd of entrepreneurs. “I love this tree idea … It’s very unique,” laughed fellow Kansas City, Missouri, mayoral candidate and equally off-the-cuff Alissia Canady, Tuesday…