Google plans $1.5 billion Jackson County data center expansion

Google announced Monday it will invest $1.5 billion to expand its data center campus in Jackson County over the next two years, adding to what has become one of the largest private investments in northeast Alabama.

The expansion will take place in 2026 and 2027 and builds on Google’s initial investment since the company first announced plans for the facility in 2018. The campus, which began operating in 2019, sits on the former Tennessee Valley Authority Widows Creek coal plant property near Bridgeport.

Company officials said the project will support additional construction activity and build on the hundreds of full-time jobs already tied to the campus. More than 1,000 contract workers are expected to participate during various phases of the expansion.

“Google’s going to commit $1.5 billion to expanding the Google Jackson County site in Bridgeport,” Jackson County site lead Thomas Gamble said. “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 community.”

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter described the announcement as a transformative moment for the county.

“This is probably one of the largest announcements that have been made in Jackson County,” Ledbetter said. “It’s generational change.”

Google said it will cover all electricity consumed by the site and pay infrastructure costs directly tied to its operations. Company officials said the expansion is designed to avoid shifting costs onto residential ratepayers.

“One of our points, as we always do, we pay our way,” Gamble said. “We’re making sure we’re not putting rates down to the actual ratepayers and increasing them.”

The company also announced several community initiatives alongside the expansion.

Google is creating a $2 million Energy Impact Fund in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama. The program will provide weatherization and energy-efficiency improvements for schools and income-qualified households, with a focus on Jackson County residents.

State Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston said the effort could help lower utility costs for local families.

“We help our citizens to be able to insulate their homes, winterize or summerize their homes,” Livingston said. “It’ll change the environment for our folks here locally that are able to participate in those programs.”

Google is also committing $550,000 over five years to provide STEM kits for students in grades four through eight in the Jackson County School District. The effort expands on Google’s existing educational partnerships in northeast Alabama, including robotics competitions, career programs and workforce development initiatives in Jackson and DeKalb counties.

“For these kids to have firsthand experience because of Google, that’s what is going to be driving our country,” Ledbetter said. “AI and technology are growing so fast, and they’re putting their money where their mouth is.”

Livingston said Google’s investments have consistently benefited the region.

“Strong partnerships between industry and local communities are the foundation of regional prosperity,” Livingston said. “From funding STEM education initiatives to supporting critical energy affordability programs, Google has consistently demonstrated a deep dedication to Jackson County. This new expansion will undoubtedly generate lasting, positive impacts for local families and businesses alike.”

Cathie Vick, Google’s market development and advocacy lead, said the company evaluates power, water and infrastructure availability before expanding and works with local utilities to ensure future growth will not strain existing resources.

“If it will constrain capacity, we will not build at that site,” Vick said.

So far, Google said it has contracted for more than 300 megawatts of new generation capacity across the Tennessee Valley region. In 2025, the company joined TVA and Kairos Power in a partnership aimed at supplying up to 50 megawatts of advanced nuclear energy to Google data centers in Alabama and Tennessee.

The company also said it works with TVA to reduce its electricity use during periods of high demand, helping maintain grid reliability during peak usage and extreme weather events.

According to Google, the company has provided more than $28 million in philanthropic support to Alabama nonprofits since 2009, and employees have logged more than 6,000 volunteer hours across the state since 2016.

“By investing heavily in the students, small businesses and local organizations that form the backbone of Jackson County, Google aims to build a foundation of opportunity that will benefit the region long after construction is complete,” Gamble said.