Google announces new data center in Chesterfield, along with $9 billion investment in Virginia

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Google, along with state and local leaders, announced a new data center in Chesterfield County on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Aug. 27, Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined leaders from the tech giant at Brightpoint Community College to announce the move. It’s part of a $9 billion investment that is expected to drive significant economic growth across the Commonwealth.

Virginia leaders said the project is more than just infrastructure — it’s about energy and education, especially in artificial intelligence (AI), which they say will act as a force multiplier for the state's economy.

Jim Ingle, a Chesterfield County Board Supervisor, shared his excitement.

“After seven years of working behind the scenes, we're thrilled to finally say Google — yes, Google — has chosen to invest right here in Chesterfield County,” Ingle said.

Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet and Google, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment.

“We are deepening partnerships here in Virginia. We're investing in the community; we’re investing in the future,” Porat said.

Construction of the new data center will begin next year in Chesterfield. Google also plans to expand its existing facilities in Loudoun and Prince William counties.

In addition, Google is partnering with the University of Virginia, Brightpoint and Northern Virginia Community College to offer free AI training courses to students, helping to prepare the next generation for a tech-driven economy.

Youngkin highlighted the impact AI is already having across industries.

“AI is at the heart of the future of business,” Youngkin said. “It is presenting itself in every aspect— from the manufacturing floor to the marketing departments, to finance, to dealing with customers, making sure they get the service that they need.”

As the project promises new opportunities in infrastructure, energy and employment, questions remain about how local communities will respond to the presence of another data center in Central Virginia.

“Data centers in communities should be decided by communities — not at the state level,” Youngkin said. “I worry that the progressive left side of the political spectrum wants to dictate from Richmond what businesses can go where.

Youngkin continued, saying, "Do we need to make sure that citizen voices are heard? Yes. Do we need to make sure that local leaders are empowered to make decisions about where they go? Yes. Should that be decided in Richmond? Absolutely not."

Construction for the data center is already underway and is expected to take about 18 to 24 months to complete.