Google has begun operations at its new data center in Pryor, Oklahoma, and plans to add a second building at the site to add additional compute capacity as well as amenities for staff.
The opening of the new facility, located about 35 miles west of Tulsa, follows the resumption of construction last year. The Oklahoma project was announced in 2007, but put on hold following the economic crisis in 2008.
Google’s Oklahoma Data Center represents a $600 million investment, and employs more than 100 people at a property inside the 9,000-acre MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor. Google said it is continuing its investment in Mayes County with the addition of a second building.
"The building will house amenities for the site, including a gym, laundry facilities, cafeteria and office space, as well as increased production capacity," said Mike Wooten, Operations Manager. “The team has grown quickly, and as we continue to power up the site we expect additional jobs to be added."
Sanders Mitchell, administrator of the MidAmerica Industrial Park, reflected on the four-year process leading up to today's announcement.
"Personally, this moment will be remembered with special significance," said Mitchell. "The Google Data Center in Pryor was announced in May 2007. Back then, the selection of MidAmerica validated everything we put on the table in trying to bring a new company here to our front doorstep. Organizations ranging from our board and staff to the Governor’s office, the Grand River Dam Authority and all our friends at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce have all played vital roles in this historic event."
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin was among the 700 guests at a ceremony to celebrate the opening. "We welcome Google and this significant facility to Oklahoma," said Fallin. "As Oklahomans know, job creation is my top priority as governor. We welcome the more than 100 good-paying jobs Google has brought to our state. Google’s presence in Oklahoma affirms our state is indeed an ideal location for high-tech facilities because of our superb training programs, skilled and dependable workforce, low energy costs and job-creating incentives.”
"Google and Oklahoma are an ideal fit," said Joe Kava, Google Senior Director, Data Center Construction and Operations. "When we search for a data center site we have very specific criteria such as the caliber of the work force, the right business climate and the infrastructure to support the power and technical needs of our operations. Mayes County and MidAmerica Industrial Park fit the bill and have surpassed our expectations.”
Google's Oklahoma data center is powered by electricity from Grand River Dam Authority. In an effort to make more renewable energy available to the regional grid, Google has also entered into a long-term agreement to purchase all of the energy from NextEra Energy Resources’ Minco II wind facility.
“We are proud to officially celebrate the completion of this world-class facility,” said Dave Lopez, Oklahoma secretary of commerce. “This project’s success is the result of tremendous work by the MidAmerica Industrial Park staff and a dedicated support team of state and local official agencies, organizations and suppliers.”
Google has already funded a robotics lab for Pryor Public Schools and science and math equipment for the Chouteau-Mazie School District. “We are currently considering several additional grant opportunities focused on science, technology, engineering and math education,” said Wooten.
"They searched, they found, they arrived, and, now, four years later, they are operational,” Mitchell said. “What a great day for our city and our state. I think that we are all ready to go Google, Oklahoma style.”
