Factfinder examines data center’s impact on small town in Oklahoma

Pryor Creek, Oklahoma, a small city of about 10,000 residents east of Tulsa, has been home to one of the world's largest Google data centers for over 15 years. Mayor Zac Doyle highlighted the data center's continuous expansion and its significant economic benefits, particularly for the Pryor Public Schools district. Superintendent Dr. Lisa Muller noted that the district's assessed property value grew from $80 million to $1 billion in 20 years, generating substantial tax revenue for programs and technology. Doyle has been invited to speak at town halls in Kansas, where several counties are weighing data center proposals and have implemented moratoriums to gather more information. Common concerns in Kansas include environmental impact, water and energy usage, noise, and the visual impact of large industrial centers. While Google's Pryor Creek facility uses over a billion gallons of water annually, Mayor Doyle stated that the city and businesses are still well within their daily capacity, noting that cooling methods adapt to water availability in different regions. Regarding utility costs, local businesses and residents near the Google facility in Pryor Creek reported no increase in their electric bills. Doyle emphasized the importance of data center companies investing in infrastructure upgrades to prevent residents from bearing the burden. He also addressed Kansans' concerns about a lack of say in projects, advising local officials to properly vet zoning regulations, while acknowledging landowners' rights to sell their property.