GOOGLE DATA CENTER INFORMATION

Google Meeting Recap – 1/15/26

Betsy Cheung
Andrew Harnish

 

I met with Betsy and Andrew via Zoom on January 15, 2026.  It was a brief 30-minute meeting, but we were able to touch on several questions.

As we had quite a list of questions for their team, I offered to email Betsy and Andrew any questions we didn’t get to in the meeting. They agreed to review the additional questions and provide the answers the can. Some of our questions are more applicable to later stages of the proposed project and won’t be able to be answered at this time.

 

We did discuss the Commissioners meeting on Monday, January 12, 2026. The Google team indicated they were glad to get the initial information to our community and felt they had a positive response based on interactions with community members after the meeting.
I said that BCD was glad they came to share the information and thought it was a good start.

Points of discussion:

Number of jobs created?


Betsy and Andrew stated that there would indeed be 500 permanent jobs created. The majority of these jobs will be onsite and full-time.
I informed the team that while we absolutely have some great candidates in our local employee pool, we don’t have 500 applicants.
They stated that Google would be focused on hiring locally first and also host  job fairs in our area to draw from the regional employee pool.

Betsy and Andrew also said that Google will provide training with programs like STAR (Skilled Trades and Readiness) which would be utilized for training potential employees.

The available jobs will range from technical & mechanical to maintenance & service. We do not have information on pay ranges at this time.

 

 

Local Economic Needs/Response/Capture?

Our discussion focused on the beginning phase of the proposed project. We talked about how they begin the project and what that would look like for our local economy.
The Google team said that for a project like this they have a General Contractor.
The GC, in addition to coordinating the actual build of the project, will also plan and provide all the services necessary for the onsite employees. For example, the facility when complete, will have an onsite café and gym among other employee amenities. These amenities will also be available during the build portion of the project. The GC will utilize local businesses as resources, but per the Google team, the GC will be mindful of not depleting local resources in the community. The GC will also utilize outside vendors and resources to provide for all of the necessary services. 

We discussed the housing needs for the first phase of the proposed project. Betsy and Andrew stated that local temporary housing availability is considered first, but again they want to be mindful of not depleting every availability in the community. They do provide daily bus transportation for employees housed in nearby communities as well as a plan to bring in housing for a portion of the employees. They did not elaborate on the number or type of housing they would provide.
The Google Team said that the project would move in steps. We would not have 500 new people arriving all at once in Barber County. It’s a gradual process and each next step is planned for to accommodate the community and the project.

 

Boom/Bust?

I asked how Google would prepare and assist our community to avoid a boom/bust situation. Betsy and Andrew responded that mitigation for that event would be an integral part of each phase going forward. They are aware of that potential effect and will plan with the community on the best steps. They gave an example using housing needs. Any temporary housing they are utilizing is repurposed for the permanent employees. This would be a consideration for any local temporary housing they utilize as well.

 

Community Benefit Agreement?

I asked if we could develop a Community Benefit Agreement so that the details of how the community will benefit and how the community should best respond would be available to everyone interested. Betsy and Andrew said that we could have a Community Benefit Agreement, but that would be later in the process. The first step is to have a Development Agreement, and once the project is agreed upon, we can move on to making a Community Benefit Agreement.

 

 We came to end of our 30 minutes and agreed that we will meet again, but have not set a date as of yet.

I have emailed Betsy and Andrew our remaining questions. We agreed that if the proposed project moves forward, we will use those questions as a starting point in each phase where appropriate.

I will keep you updated with any further information I receive.

February 20, 2026

Questions from the BCD Board submitted to Google re: Data Center – 2026

 

1.       How could Google and Barber County Development partner to:

    • Encourage home ownership

    • Support local rental markets

Prevent housing displacement

Google Response: We recognize the importance of a healthy housing market to Barber County. While Google typically looks to local experts and county leaders to guide specific housing development plans and strategies, we welcome the opportunity to learn more about Barber County’s goals.

 

2.       Will there be any Main Street presence in Sharon or Medicine Lodge?

    • Offices

    • Public outreach or visitor center

Community engagement space

Google Response: At this time, offices for the potential Barber County Data Center would be onsite of the facility.

 

 

Regional Training Opportunity

3.       Is there a need for a regional training center serving data centers in surrounding states and can we create that in Barber County?

What partnerships would be required?

 

Google Response: Investing in the next generation of technical talent is a priority we share. Our workforce development teams are eager to collaborate with community stakeholders to explore what a regional training model could look like for Barber County. We’ve found that the most impactful programs are those built in partnership with local career centers, technical colleges and universities, and we look forward to discussing how we can support those efforts as our presence in the County grows.

 

 Community Infrastructure & Public Services
4. How would Google support our Community Infrastructure & Public Services?

(To be coordinated with schools, hospital, and municipalities)

A. School Campus Capacity & Programming

Facilities

  • Additional classrooms

  • Auditorium

  • Gymnasium

  • Turf football field & track

  • Baseball diamonds

  • Community recreation center

Google Response: We have proposed funding in the County Community Benefit Agreement (CBA) that the County can choose to allocate to address these needs.

 

B. School Programs

  • STEM expansion

  • Skilled workforce pathways

  • Internships with Google

  • Band and choir support

 

Google Response: We have a variety of workforce and education development teams that will work with the local school superintendents and schools to explore opportunities to align.

Elsewhere, Google has supported extracurricular development and funding, FFA, robotics programs, STEM programs and activities, including summer camps, mentoring organizations, GED programming, STAR program for upskilling people into the skilled trades, AI bootcamps for entrepreneurs, and supporting incubators. Once the project moves beyond the diligence phase, our teams will work with the Superintendent and other school leaders to fit the needs of the students.

 

C. Health, Public Safety & Emergency Services

  • EMT staffing challenges (new paid model)

  • Fire departments:

    • Still volunteer-based

    • Need specialized training for large, secure facilities

  • Jail facility

  • Local access to outpatient services such as dialysis

  • Chiropractic Services

  • Dentist

Google Response: Health, public safety, and emergency services are important for Google and the communities we operate in. We have proposed funding in the County CBA so that the County can allocate as needed to address these topics, including an upfront support payment.

D. Quality of Life & Community Assets

  • Park improvements

  • Wellness center

  • Peace Treaty Pageant Amphitheater, Powwow Park, and Rodeo facilities

  • Music and arts venue

  • Observatory

  • Daycare capacity (planning for growth)

  • Drive-in theater and event center

  • Sound pollution mitigation

  • Light pollution mitigation



Google Response: In both the proposed County and City CBAs, we will propose funding that can be utilized, at each entity’s discretion, for a variety of efforts including improving parks and recreation facilities and beautification.

Additionally, we will work with the County/City to address sound/light pollution mitigation within the Development Agreement.

 

E. Governance & Accountability

  • Community advisory board-how do we coordinate as a community across organizations?

  • Annual public impact reporting

  • Local hiring benchmarks

  • Re-investment commitments

 

Google Response: Once due diligence is complete, the necessary project approvals have occurred, and construction efforts have begun, the Google team will be in regular contact with County and City officials regarding pertinent project and community impact updates. Once operational, Google local leadership will work with the City/County to produce periodic updates as needed and agreed upon regarding joint community efforts including sponsorships, volunteer hours, and local education and workforce development efforts.

Decommissioning Plan when facility becomes obsolete in 10-15yrs?
                Do you have a decommissioning plan for these facilities?
                What does that look like?

 

Google Response: The facility would not become obsolete in 10-15 years. Hyperscale data center facilities regularly operate for 30+ years with continual investments in new equipment and technology. We have drafted a decommissioning agreement for the County to address this particular concern.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Document Prepared by Loretta McGuire, Executive Director, Barber County Development, Inc.

Meeting Minutes: Google & Barber County Leadership

Date: February27,2026
Subject: Data Center Development – Strategic Q&A and Site Protocols
Prepared By: Loretta McGuire, Executive Director, BCD, Inc.

 

I. Environmental & Infrastructure Strategy

Water Resource Management

To protect the local watershed and downstream communities (Sharon/Kiowa), wastewater will likely be conveyed via a new pipeline to the City of Medicine Lodge for treatment and discharged by the public utility. This treatment will manage the wastewater quality at typical sanitary concentrations, so negative water quality impacts to the watershed or aquifer (water supply) are not expected.

 

Data center land use does not include application of nitrates or fertilizers, so stormwater from the site will not have any elevated nitrates or have a negative impact on surface or subsurface water quality.

 

●        Capacity Planning: Google will coordinate with the City of Medicine Lodge to ensure sufficient capacity equivalent to a 300-unit hotel. As a user of the City’s sewer system, Google would fund the necessary expansions or enhancements to the system to accommodate operational requirements.

●        Compliance & Transparency: Operations will adhere to  any required federal and state water quality and monitoring standards. Detailed monitoring protocols will be incorporated in formal agreements with the City of Medicine Lodge. In alignment with corporate sustainability goals, once operational, Google will publish an Annual Water Consumption Report by state to maintain public transparency regarding usage and stewardship. 

 

Air Quality & Emissions

The facility's backup power systems (diesel generators) are strictly regulated. Google conducts regular "stack testing" to validate compliance with air quality permits and minimize environmental impact. 

 

II. Property, Land Use & Community Relations

Site Design & Mitigation

Google will collaborate with necessary authority having jurisdictions (AHJs), to formalize preferential setback guidelines within the Development Agreement. Visual impact will be mitigated through strategic landscaping and fencing.

 

 

 

Neighbor Engagement Program

Google is committed to direct engagement with property owners within a certain radius of the project, north of Highway 160. Following the pending noise study, the team will explore a suite of mitigation options, which may include:

●        Visual and acoustic buffering

●        Good Neighbor Agreements

●        Fair-market property acquisition offers where necessary

 

III. Power & Economic Framework

Energy Procurement

The facility will integrate into the standard utility framework. There are no current plans for "behind-the-meter" (on-site) generation. Google’s global commitment involves matching 100% of consumption with alternative energy purchases on the wider grid. 

 

Local Economic Participation

●        Contracting:  The Project’s prime general contractor will go through the standard construction industry bid process and would hire subcontractors who would apply efforts to hire local tradespeople.

Local contractors and businesses who meet the GC/subcontractor’s eligibility requirements are typically the preferred selection due to location of the workforce.

●        Community Benefit Agreement (CBA): A site-specific CBA will be drafted for County Leadership review, outlining long-term investments in the community. 

 

Project Timeline

●        Phase I (Grading): 6 Months + (Est.) duration

●        Phase II (Vertical Construction): 18 Months + (Est.) duration

●        Note: Schedules are contingent on weather and supply chain variables.

 

IV. Operational Objectives (Q&A Expansion)

Facility Purpose & Function

Q: What is the specific purpose of this new data center?
A: Data centers are the heart of the internet, from personal electronics to business operations to government services. The proposed Barber County Data Center would support online services that people use every day, including Workspace, Search, YouTube and Maps. Due to continuous increased demand, Google Data Centers support all of our services and products.

 

 

 

Q: Does it have a local or regional purpose?
A: Data centers, on both a local and regional level, serve as economic engines, driving quality job creation, tax revenue, economic diversification, workforce development opportunities, education, and other forms of community investment. Additionally, the proposed data center would facilitate critical  improvements to essential infrastructure that provide lasting benefits to the community (such as road and energy grid improvements, and water and utility upgrades.

 

Public Impact & Ethics

Q: Is the purpose for the public good or private profits?
A: Google is an American owned and operated public company, whose mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. The project enables the infrastructure to provide this “public good” of access to information, education, and communication tools. Furthermore, the tax revenue acts as a direct financial infusion into public community funds, distinct from the company's operational profits. 

 

Data Security & Privacy

Q: What protections prevent the misuse or sale of locally collected data?
A: It is a common misconception that a data center "collects" data from its immediate geographic neighbors.

  1. Global Sharding: User data is "sharded" (split into pieces) and distributed across multiple global sites; it does not reside in a single location based on where the user lives.

  2. Encryption: All data is encrypted both "in transit" and "at rest." Even if a hard drive were physically removed, the data would be unreadable.

  3. Zero-Trust Access: Physical access is controlled via biometric scanners and "circle-lock" mantraps. Site technicians handle hardware but have no logical access to read user data. 

 

V. Strategic Next Steps

●        Town Hall Series:

●        Sharon (Late March): Presentation of Site Plan & Noise Study results.

●        Medicine Lodge (Late March/Potentially April): Scheduling of a town hall to discuss the site plan and proposed project next steps

●        Education Partnership: Google will work with the Barber County School District to discuss opportunities in the future.

●        Leadership Tours: Open invitation for the City of Sharon, Barber County School Boards, and other County leaders for scheduled tours at Google facilities in Mesa, AZ, or Kansas City, MO, to observe live operations and construction.