April 26, 2024 - Today, Google is proud to announce it is expanding its Midwest presence with a $2 billion data center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Additionally, the company is announcing a skilled trade career development program and a collaboration with Indiana Michigan Power Company (I&M) to add clean energy to the local grid.
Google's continued investment in technical infrastructure, including its data centers, plays an essential role in supporting the company's AI innovations and growing Google Cloud business. Google’s data centers help power popular digital services — like Google Cloud, Workspace (which includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets and more), Search and Maps — for people and organizations worldwide.
“Indiana has made it a strategic priority to cultivate the economy of the future, and we’re already seeing the impact of our work thanks to the partnership of companies like Google,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “Not only is Google choosing Indiana to power its global AI and cloud infrastructure, but we’re thrilled to see the company already investing heavily in the northeast Indiana community. These initiatives will help skill up our Hoosier workforce, preparing residents for the jobs of the future. And, at the same time bringing clean energy resources to the region propelling continued growth in industrial sustainability.”
"We are excited to welcome Google to northeast Indiana," said U.S. Senator Todd Young. "Indiana continues to be a state where the most innovative companies in the world want to do business. Our efforts to invest in emerging technologies and actively prepare our workforce to be ready for these opportunities has created an environment for companies like Google to thrive, benefiting not only our local community, but the entire country."
“There’s never been a better time to be in Fort Wayne,” said Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker. “This investment from Google isn't just about infrastructure or economic development; it's about building a stronger tomorrow, together.”
“We are thrilled to announce our investment in Fort Wayne as the site for our newest data center,” said Joe Kava, Vice President, Global Data Centers, Google. “Our decision to make a commitment of this magnitude is a true testament to the strategic and collaborative nature of many leaders across Indiana, Allen County, and, particularly, Fort Wayne. Together, Fort Wayne and Google will help power the digital future, including AI innovation across our enterprise and consumer services.”
I&M and Google’s new collaboration will advance the clean energy transition and help maintain affordable, reliable service for all I&M customers. These efforts will bring clean energy to the local electricity grid and support Google’s ambitious 2030 goal to run all its data centers and campuses on carbon-free energy (CFE), every hour of every day. Today, Google already matches 100% of its global annual electricity consumption with renewable energy purchases and, as a pioneer in computing infrastructure, its data centers are some of the most efficient in the world.
"We are excited to collaborate with Google to provide future energy needs and help support their corporate sustainability goals,” said Steve Baker, President and Chief Operation Office, Indiana Michigan Power. “This project not only helps the Fort Wayne community, but also helps advance the State of Indiana’s energy policy – Reliability, Resiliency, Stability, Affordability and Environmental Sustainability, pillars that are foundational to a successful energy future.”
"Fort Wayne is a community on the rise," said John Urbahns, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., CEO. "Our region has an exceptional quality of life, a competitive business climate, and a talented workforce. This investment from Google is another example that Fort Wayne is the ideal place to do business."
As part of its commitment to community development, Google will bring its Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) program to the Fort Wayne area. The company is collaborating with Ivy Tech Community College to help increase the entry-level pipeline in the skilled trades with a focus on underrepresented communities. All STAR pre-employment programs are paid training programs, and offer networking opportunities to help participants move directly into jobs with Google data center construction sites or other local projects.
In addition, Google announced $250,000 in initial community and programmatic support benefitting two critical Fort Wayne initiatives: the new Fort Wayne Early Learning Center, which will serve both East Allen County and Fort Wayne Community Schools students and their children, and Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network, Fort Wayne’s only local emergency housing shelter for families in need.
Learn more about Google in Indiana at: g.co/economicimpact/indiana