Alphabet Inc.’s Google will invest $9 billion in Virginia through 2026 to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure, including a new data center in Chesterfield County and the expansion of existing sites in Northern Virginia.
Expansion of Data Center Infrastructure
Google announced it would build a massive data center in Chesterfield County, roughly 17 miles south of Richmond. The location, at 2700 Bermuda Hundred Road near Meadowville Technology Park, is already being developed.
Aerial view of data centers in Loudoun County
Additionally, the company will expand its existing campuses in Loudoun and Prince William Counties. The sites are located in Northern Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” the world’s highest density accumulation of cloud centers, the backbone of Google’s global digital services.
Timeline and Energy Partnership
It takes 18 to 24 months to complete large-scale data center projects, according to Google representatives. The company has not provided a specific date for the Chesterfield facility to go into operation, however.
Google’s energy partner for the new campus will be Dominion Energy. While energy demand is on the rise in the area, the company stated that it is also collaborating with local partners on efficiency and sustainability projects to facilitate long-term infrastructure requirements.
Workforce Development and Training Programs
Students in a classroom with laptops
Beyond infrastructure, Google promised to improve workforce development and education in Virginia. Google launched a $1 billion program providing free access to the Google AI Pro plan for all students in the state for one year.
The program further includes AI training with the partnership of the University of Virginia, Brightpoint Community College, and Northern Virginia Community College. These are some of the first to join the Google AI for Education Accelerator, aimed at preparing students with skills for tech careers.
State and Community Support
Governor Glenn Youngkin with Google leadership
Governor Glenn Youngkin referred to the project as a massive economic boon to Virginia, clarifying that the state remains the largest data center market in the world. He emphasized that the investment is in support of developing a workforce that can address the growing AI economy.
Community leaders, such as county officials in Chesterfield County, adopted Google’s energy-efficient and water-conserving practices and collaborated on educational programs. County officials noted the project positions the county as a leader in technology and innovation.
Wider Industry Investment Trends
The move by Google is a wave of investment by top tech companies in U.S. data centers. Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta Platforms are some of the companies expanding operations to supply the rapid demand for artificial intelligence.
In its latest earnings report, Google increased its yearly capital spending target to $85 billion, attributing stepped-up investment in AI infrastructure. Industry commentators state the U.S. is still at the center of the international competition for advanced computing power.
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Managing Rising Energy Demand
Data centers are highly energy-intensive, and Virginia’s growth has strained the power grid. Estimates suggest the state may need to double its energy production by 2030 alone to support data center growth.
Google said it is working toward operating on carbon-free energy around the clock across its campuses. The company noted that Northern Virginia has already achieved 95 percent clean energy use, and it pledged to continue collaborating with local authorities on long-term sustainability efforts.
