Arkansas is set to host one of the largest technology investments in its history, as Google announced plans to build a $4 billion data center campus in West Memphis. The project, revealed on October 2 during a community celebration with state leaders and Entergy Arkansas, will mark the tech giant’s first facility in the state and one of the largest single private investments in the region.
The new development will span more than 1,000 acres and include a hyperscale data center, office space, a substation, and supporting infrastructure. Construction is expected to employ thousands of workers, with hundreds of permanent jobs anticipated once operations begin. Google executives said the center will be critical to expanding the company’s cloud and artificial intelligence capabilities nationwide.
Alphabet and Google President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat emphasized the importance of energy in enabling next-generation AI. “AI and the energy powering it will be the defining innovations of this century,” she said. “We are investing in Arkansas because we see an opportunity to pair AI leadership with reliable, affordable energy that benefits local communities.”
Energy Impact Fund
As part of its commitment to the state, Google also announced a $25 million Energy Impact Fund to help residents in Crittenden County and surrounding areas. The fund will support weatherization programs, innovative energy efficiency technologies, and workforce training initiatives. In addition, Google has launched an AI training cohort in partnership with Arkansas universities, aiming to train 10,000 residents in artificial intelligence skills.
Powering such a facility requires massive energy resources. Entergy Arkansas will supply the site with electricity through its existing generation portfolio, supplemented by a proposed 600-megawatt solar farm paired with a 350-megawatt battery storage system in Jefferson County. Google will cover the costs of the new resource, ensuring no added burden to other ratepayers. In fact, utility officials project the contract will deliver more than $1.1 billion in net benefits over its lifetime by spreading fixed grid costs across a wider base and reducing rates for all customers.
Community Impacts
Laura Landreaux, President and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, called the announcement a turning point for the state. “Google’s $4 billion investment, its $25 million Energy Impact Fund, and its commitment to workforce training demonstrate the scale of long-term community impact this project will bring. Arkansas offers reliable power at affordable rates, and this project proves that global technology leaders are taking notice,” she said.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised the announcement as validation of Arkansas’ pro-business and pro-energy policies. Earlier this year, lawmakers passed the Arkansas IMPACT legislative package, which streamlined permitting for energy projects and provided tax incentives for large-scale data centers. “Google’s decision to invest here shows that Arkansas is ready to lead in the AI economy,” Sanders said.
Local leaders hailed the project as transformative for West Memphis and beyond. Mayor Marco McClendon said negotiations were intense but worth the effort. “This project is about more than buildings and technology — it’s about opportunity and a better future for our people. Google’s decision to invest billions here is one of our biggest wins yet,” he said.
When complete, the West Memphis campus will not only anchor Google’s expansion in Arkansas but also serve as a model for how energy innovation and economic development can go hand-in-hand in powering the digital future.
Google is rapidly expanding its U.S. footprint
Just under two weeks after the Arkansas announcement, Google has unveiled plans to invest $9 billion in South Carolina, marking a continued effort to expand its U.S. data center and AI infrastructure footprint. This latest investment will expand the existing Berkeley County campus and fund the construction of two new data center sites in Dorchester County, further strengthening the company’s presence in the Southeast.
Beyond these latest investments, Google is rapidly expanding its U.S. footprint with data center and cloud infrastructure projects in multiple states. In Virginia, the company is investing $9 billion to expand operations, including a new campus at Meadowville Technology Park in Chesterfield County and growth at sites in Loudoun and Prince William counties, reinforcing the state’s role as a global digital infrastructure hub.
Google Data Center Campus – West Memphis, Arkansas
Project Overview
Google will develop a $4 billion hyperscale data center campus in West Memphis, Arkansas—the company’s first facility in the state and one of the largest private investments in Arkansas history.
Key Facts
Location: West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas
Investment: $4 billion
Site Size: 1,000+ acres
Announced: October 2, 2025
Purpose: Expand Google’s cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities
Facilities
Hyperscale data center
Office space
Electrical substation
Supporting infrastructure
Employment Impact
Construction Phase: Thousands of workers
Permanent Operations: Hundreds of jobs
Energy Supply
Provider: Entergy Arkansas
Existing generation portfolio
New 600 MW solar farm (Jefferson County)
350 MW battery storage system
Customer Impact: $1.1 billion in projected net benefits through rate reductions
Community Investment
$25 Million Energy Impact Fund:
Weatherization programs for Crittenden County residents
Energy efficiency technology deployment
Workforce training initiatives
AI Training Program:
Partnership with Arkansas universities
Target: Train 10,000 Arkansas residents in AI skills
Policy Context
Arkansas IMPACT legislative package (2025) provided:
Streamlined energy project permitting
Tax incentives for large-scale data centers
Significance
This project positions Arkansas as a strategic hub for AI infrastructure development while demonstrating integration of renewable energy with large-scale technology deployment.
