Google purchases land for multibillion-dollar data center in Putnam County

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on Friday that Google has purchased land in Putnam County, West Virginia, for a multibillion-dollar data center campus. The project has already secured state approval as a High Impact Development Project, marking a significant economic win for the state. Governor Morrisey emphasized that Google's decision signals West Virginia's growing competitiveness for future jobs and industries. He highlighted Google's commitment to fully covering the electricity, water, and sewer infrastructure upgrades associated with the project, ensuring no costs are passed on to residents. Additionally, Google has pledged to replenish 120 percent more water than it consumes across its operations by 2030, supporting water security in local communities. The project is in its early stages, with Google representatives planning to meet with local Putnam County officials to continue discussions. Clay Allsop, Google's regional head of data center public affairs, expressed excitement about the new campus and praised the strong business environment fostered by Governor Morrisey. The state's House Bill 2014, which provides a framework for data center siting while maintaining environmental protections, and the 50 by 50 energy strategy to expand power generation, were noted as factors supporting such developments.