PUTNAM COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Google has purchased land in Putnam County and received approval for a multibillion-dollar High Impact Development Project, according to an announcement from Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
State officials say the project represents a major step in West Virginia’s efforts to attract large-scale investment, improve infrastructure, and compete for future job growth.
“Google’s decision to come in West Virginia is a strong signal that our state is competing and winning for the jobs and industries of the future,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey.
“This is exactly the kind of opportunity we are working to bring here – one that creates jobs, strengthens infrastructure, and positions West Virginia for long-term growth.”
The project remains in the early stages, with additional planning and development work still required. Google representatives are expected to meet with local officials in Putnam County as discussions continue.
As part of the development, Google will cover 100 percent of the electricity used to power the facility. The company has also committed to paying for necessary upgrades to electrical, water, and sewer infrastructure tied to the project.
“I am also pleased to announce that Google has committed to covering all necessary electrical and water and sewer upgrades associated with this project, ensuring those costs are not passed on to residential households,” Governor Morrisey said.
“Google has further pledged to replenish more water than it consumes by 2030, targeting 120 percent replenishment on average across its operations while supporting water security in the communities where it operates. We are excited about this partnership between the State of West Virginia and Google.”
Similar data center campuses operated by Google in other states have generated thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions.
State leaders say recent policy efforts have helped position West Virginia for projects of this scale.
House Bill 2014 created a framework for data center development, providing consistency in siting while maintaining environmental protections.
West Virginia is also advancing its “50 by 50” energy strategy, aimed at expanding power generation capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050 to meet increasing demand from industries such as data centers and advanced manufacturing.
“We’re excited to share that Google has purchased land in Putnam County, West Virginia, for a new data center campus,” said Clay Allsop, Regional Head of Data Center Public Affairs for Google.
“We are early in the process, and substantial work remains, but we are appreciative of the strong business environment created by Governor Morrisey to provide a pathway for projects of this scale. We look forward to partnering with the Governor and local leaders in Putnam County on this opportunity here in West Virginia.”
