Aug. 21: Google open house answers questions on data center
Google recently held an open house in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for its new data center, addressing community questions on topics such as water use, traffic, jobs, and electrical rates. The event featured Google employees, contractors, and local partners who provided updates on the $2 billion project, which broke ground in 2024 with the first building expected to be operational by December 2025.
Google hosted a community open house on August 20 at the Covenant Impact Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to provide updates and answer questions about its ongoing data center project. Representatives from Google, along with contractors and community partners, engaged with attendees on various concerns related to the development.
Kelly Rentschler, Google community & workforce development manager, informed attendees that more buildings for the Fort Wayne data center are slated to come online later this year. The project, which involves an estimated $2 billion investment, broke ground in 2024 and is expected to have its first building operational by December 2025 in southeast Fort Wayne. Discussions at the event covered water use, traffic impacts, job creation, and electrical rates, with Indiana Michigan Power Co. also present to offer information.
Todd Cunningham, a civil engineer and principal at EMH&T, addressed environmental permitting and regional public infrastructure being funded by Google, emphasizing that public utilities are confident in meeting the data center's demands without adverse impacts on existing customers. Construction and engineering partners like Fruchey and Beaver Excavating Company also participated, answering questions about logistics, road widening, and construction timelines. The city of Fort Wayne was also represented, noting that Google is responsible for infrastructure upgrades if problems are identified. Google expressed its commitment to the community, with Rentschler stating a hope that attendees recognize Google employees as members of the same community.