Federal officials announce $33B data center, power plant in Pike County

SoftBank Energy has announced plans for a massive 9.2-gigawatt natural gas plant designed to power a new 10-gigawatt AI data center in Pike County, Ohio. SoftBank's CEO declared it would be the largest such facility globally, marking the initial phase of a $550 billion US-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement. This $33 billion endeavor aims to position the region as a hub for super-intelligence. The announcement was made by federal officials from the Trump administration, local leaders, and SoftBank executives. They assured residents that the project, which will generate its own power, will not lead to increased electricity bills but rather aims to provide reliable, affordable energy and potentially drive down local electricity prices. Project leaders estimate the development will create 35,000 construction jobs during its peak, followed by 2,500 permanent positions once the data center is operational. Construction is reportedly underway, with the facility projected to begin operations within two years, signifying a significant expansion in AI infrastructure.