Google announced it is investing $1.2 billion this year in Nebraska at an event with U.S. Senator Deb Fischer at the company’s Papillion data center campus. As part of this investment in its data centers in Nebraska, the company confirmed its plans to develop a data center site in Lincoln - its third in the state. This announcement builds on Google’s $2.2 billion invested in Nebraska to date.
Google's continued investment in technical infrastructure, including its data centers, plays a critical role in supporting the company's AI innovations and growing Google Cloud business. Google’s data centers help power popular digital services — like Google Cloud, Workspace (which includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets and more), Search and Maps — for people and organizations worldwide.
"Nebraska is blessed with a tremendous workforce, a strong university system, and abundant natural resources that make us a clear hub for innovation," said Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer. "Today’s significant investment will grow our economy, create jobs, and build on the success of our local communities' thriving tech sector. In the Senate, I’ll continue advancing policies that will expand broadband access and bring new economic opportunities to Nebraska."
"Google’s commitment to Nebraska has gone beyond the physical, technical infrastructure. It is also active in community engagement and supports expanding digital services across the state."
“Nebraska is called the Silicon Prairie because of our innovation and creativity. This investment underscores how our central location, competitive electric rates, and tax climate have attracted significant investments in a growing hub of data centers,” said Nebraska Congressman Mike Flood. “Thank you to Google for your continued commitment and for helping bring more good jobs which will help the next generation live, work, and raise a family here in the Good Life.”
"Tech is an important sector of our economy and we welcome Google's continued investment and expansion," said Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert. "Growth in technology innovation and customer demand provide great opportunities for Omaha and Nebraska to provide a qualified workforce and infrastructure for Google."
“The City of Papillion is excited about Google’s continued investment in our community,” said Papillion Mayor David Black. “In addition to the services and employment opportunities Google brings to our area, Google is also an active community partner positively impacting our schools and nonprofits.”
“Google’s decision to locate in Lincoln is a result of the strong business climate we have built through community partnerships and investments in infrastructure and workforce development,” said Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. “I look forward to welcoming them to our community and continuing a strong partnership as we bring more innovation and economic growth to Lincoln.”
Google creates economic opportunities across the Cornhusker state. In 2019, Google broke ground on a data center in Papillion and has since created more than 120 jobs for Nebraskans in a variety of full time and external supplier roles, including computer technicians, engineers and various food service, maintenance and security roles. As a pioneer in computing infrastructure, Google’s data centers are some of the most efficient in the world. Google was the first major company to set an ambitious 2030 goal to run its business on carbon-free energy (CFE), every hour of every day, in all of its data centers and campuses worldwide.
In addition to Google’s existing campus in Papillion and its soon-to-be-operational site in northwest Omaha, near State Street and Blair High Road, Google will also build a new data center site in Lincoln. This growth is part of Google’s ongoing commitment to the Omaha-Council Bluffs, and now Lincoln, metropolitan area, which will play a significant role in Google’s United States data center portfolio as one of the fastest-growing regional hubs. The company recently announced a $350 million investment in its existing Council Bluffs data center campus.
“We are at an important moment for tech innovation, with the growing demand for AI and Google Cloud, along with our other digital products and services like Search and Maps,” said Allie Hopkins, Google Head of Data Centers, Iowa and Nebraska, “We have a long history with the greater Omaha metro community and we’re proud to continue growing this critical regional hub with today’s new investment in Nebraska.”
Google has a history of supporting projects and initiatives that help keep the community connected. Google was a partner in bringing connectivity to North Omaha through Seventy Five North and the Empowerment Network.
Google was also an original supporter of the new Omaha Central Public Library, which will open in 2026 and is an investment in literacy, digital equity, community development and individual potential. The inclusive space is designed for all generations and will incorporate Do Space, the city’s free technology library.
In 2022, Google helped provide $4.34 billion of economic activity for thousands of Nebraska businesses, including publishers, nonprofits, creatives and developers. More than 112,000 Nebraska businesses used Google’s free tools to receive phone calls, bookings, reviews, requests for directions and other customer interactions.
Learn more about Google in Nebraska at: g.co/economicimpact/nebraska.