HOLLYWOOD — Google's already sprawling data center in Bridgeport will soon benefit from a further $1.5 billion expansion.
On Monday morning, both company executives and elected officials gathered at the Kevin Dukes Career and Innovation Academy in Jackson County for an official announcement regarding what Google had previously teased as "new investments in Alabama."
"As we grow the site, it's going to add to the already hundreds of full-time jobs on site and bring even more benefits to our communities," said Thomas Gamble, Jackson County site lead at Google. "We're focused on sustainable growth. One of the big things is making sure the community thrives as we do, as well. One of our points, we always do, is that we pay our way. We pay our power bills, we pay our water bills, we pay for the infrastructure we need to be able to bring our data centers up and support all the people that use our services."
Gamble also revealed Google plans to create a $2 million "energy impact donation fund" to assist area residents with energy costs.
"Being a good neighbor doesn't just mean what we're doing on our side to try to stay efficient and use things correctly. We're also going to announce today a $2 million energy impact donation fund that's going to be led through the partnership of TVA and the Community Action Agency of North Alabama to help people with weatherization and energy efficiency needs to help lower their light bills for the areas that we live in in Northeast Alabama."
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) said Google's planned expansion is part of a "long-term commitment" to Northeast Alabama.
"This is one of the most beautiful areas in the country, and we intend for it to stay that way. The issues of data centers and the importance of the 21st century economy are driven by that. We want Alabama to be open for business. Like any other state, partners in industry, we only want companies here that are committed to doing business in good faith, being transparent and giving back to the state and to our people," he outlined. "Google's $1.5 billion expansion through 2027 is about far more than infrastructure and data center campuses. It's a long-term commitment, not to invest just in technology, but to invest in the people and the communities of Northeast Alabama."
Added Ledbetter, "It supports local jobs, strengthens tax bases, and helps ensure Alabama remains competitive in the modern digital economy."
The Bridgeport campus began operations in 2019 and is located on the site of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s retired Widows Creek coal plant. Construction on the site allowed Google to repurpose existing electric lines and other infrastructure to enhance the data center’s reliability.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day or become a member to gain access to exclusive content.
