(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with Google have announced the company is investing $350 million this year at its Council Bluffs data center campus. This builds on Google’s more than $5 billion investment in the state since breaking ground on the site in 2007.

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. The Council Bluffs data center is one of Google’s largest facilities and helps power popular digital services — like Google Cloud, Workspace (which includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets and more), Search and Maps — for people and organizations worldwide.

In Iowa, Google has created jobs for over 900 people in a variety of full-time and external supplier roles, including computer technicians, engineers, and a variety of construction, food services, 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.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst said “It’s great to be in Council Bluffs to celebrate new opportunities and jobs for the community. Additional investments at this data center will be a boon to southwest Iowa, and I am proud that highly-skilled Iowans are working to keep the internet up and running for those around the nation and world.”

Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh said “From infrastructure investments to investments in community initiatives, Google’s continued commitment to Council Bluffs is apparent.“The new investment announced today in the Council Bluffs data center facilities, along with Google’s support of the new co-working hub, will continue to provide a ripple of economic impact throughout our community.”

As part of Google’s long-term commitment to the state, the company announced a $250,000 grant to Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation will support the creation of the first-ever co-working entrepreneurial hub in Council Bluffs. This collaborative space will help local entrepreneurs overcome the challenges to starting and running a successful business by providing a variety of services and resources. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and the hub will help strengthen the local community through knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities.

Allie Hopkins, Google Head of Data Centers, Iowa and Nebraska said “Iowa is building the infrastructure for American innovation. It’s home to one of Google’s largest data centers, providing the infrastructure for digital services and AI innovations that serve people and businesses around the world. We’re proud to be building it here in Iowa and today’s investment underscores our long-term commitment to the Council Bluffs community and the entire state.”

Google has a history of supporting projects and initiatives that help bridge the digital divide in Iowa. Google was a key partner in the effort to bring the BLink community Wi-Fi network online for Council Bluffs. Google has also supported STEM learning for over one thousand Iowa students through hands-on learning opportunities like the Iowa STEM Council and CS First coding events. Since 2009, Google has awarded more than $3 million to local schools and nonprofit organizations including efforts to expand computer science education and upskilling Iowans to help grow their careers and expand their businesses.

Throughout Iowa, 177,000 Iowa businesses have connected with their customers through Google, and Grow with Google has partnered with more than 160 organizations in the state to train tens of thousands of Iowans on digital skills, including public libraries, chambers of commerce, and more. Last year alone, Google helped provide $1.45 billion of economic activity for thousands of Iowa businesses, publishers, nonprofits, creators and developers.