CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Governor Patrick Morrisey today announced that Google, one of the world’s most innovative tech companies, has purchased land in Putnam County and received approval for a multibillion-dollar High Impact Development Project. This marks an important step in West Virginia’s efforts to attract major investment, strengthen infrastructure, and compete for the jobs of the future.
“Google’s decision to come in West Virginia is a strong signal that our state is competing and winning for the jobs and industries of the future,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “This is exactly the kind of opportunity we are working to bring here – one that creates jobs, strengthens infrastructure, and positions West Virginia for long-term growth.”
The project remains in its early stages, and substantial work remains before additional announcements. Google representatives are expected to meet with local officials in Putnam County as discussions continue. As part of the project, Google will be covering 100 percent of the electricity used to power the facility. Similar Google campuses in other states have generated thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of full-time positions, demonstrating the kind of economic impact this investment can bring.
“I am also pleased to announce that Google has committed to covering all necessary electrical and water and sewer upgrades associated with this project, ensuring those costs are not passed on to residential households,” Governor Morrisey said. “Google has further pledged to replenish more water than it consumes by 2030, targeting 120 percent replenishment on average across its operations while supporting water security in the communities where it operates. We are excited about this partnership between the State of West Virginia and Google.”
West Virginia has taken steps to position itself for projects like this by providing greater certainty for large-scale development. House Bill 2014 established a clear and predictable framework for data center projects, ensuring consistency in siting while maintaining existing environmental protections. That level of certainty is critical in attracting major private investment.
The state is also advancing its 50 by 50 energy strategy, a long-term effort to expand West Virginia’s power generation capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2050. This effort is designed to ensure the state has the reliable, affordable energy needed to support growing demand from emerging industries like data centers and advanced manufacturing.
“We’re excited to share that Google has purchased land in Putnam County, West Virginia, for a new data center campus,” said Clay Allsop, Regional Head of Data Center Public Affairs for Google. “We are early in the process, and substantial work remains, but we are appreciative of the strong business environment created by Governor Morrisey to provide a pathway for projects of this scale. We look forward to partnering with the Governor and local leaders in Putnam County on this opportunity here in West Virginia.”
