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
Wonder Shops and Flats set to bring Blip Roasters, Bike Walk KC, medical group to Troost
Wonder what’s in the works at 30th and Troost? This weekend’s Wanderfest provides the opportunity for a sneak peek at a long-awaited development in one of Kansas City’s in-progress revitalization corridors. The Wonder Shops and Flats serves as a key stop during Sunday’s festivities, which showcase maker and creative work in the Tower East neighborhood.…
Farmobile lawsuit claims dismissed, CEO says ‘Truth won out and justice was served’
A more than two-year legal dispute over trade secrets has hit a milestone, Farmobile announced Friday, as a federal judge dismissed all claims against the Leawood-based farm data firm. “We welcome the court’s decision. Truth won out and justice was served,” said Jason Tatge, CEO of Farmobile. “Farmobile takes great pride in the development of…
Edcoda founder after pivot to new edtech app Boddle: ‘I wish I had failed faster’
Clarence Tan held onto his startup Edcoda longer than he should have, the founder admitted, but his pivot to a new edtech learning app, Boddle, should prove a more filling fit for users. “Boddle has a much better underlying vision and mission, as well as being better in terms of how it would work in…
New STEAM Studio ‘pop-up’ lab planned for Rockhurst library along Troost
With its quiet atmosphere and stacks of source materials, the bottom floor of the Greenlease Library at Rockhurst University is a great place to study or do research. But it doesn’t necessarily strike one as a state-of-the-art design thinking and learning lab — yet. Starting this summer, that section of the university’s library will be…