Google to Build First Wyoming Data Center in Laramie County

Google announced on Thursday that it will construct its first data center in southeast Wyoming.

The company stated it plans to invest up to $17 billion in computing centers in the state. The facility is located near Terry Ranch Road in Laramie County. Google described the project as a long-term commitment designed to benefit local families and businesses.

Data center speculation has intensified across Wyoming, particularly in the Cheyenne area. That region already hosts 10 operational centers, with more than a dozen in the planning phase. This expansion has sparked public debate. A University of Wyoming poll released last week showed only 30% of residents support building more large-scale AI data centers. Chuck Gray, the state Secretary of State and incoming U.S. Representative, has voiced opposition to the new AI infrastructure.

Google is collaborating with Tallgrass Energy, Black Hills Energy, American Electric Power, and Related Digital on the project. The initial phase involves a 702-megawatt facility powered by fuel-cell technology. This system converts natural gas into electricity. Google also plans to sequester electrical generation emissions underground. Tallgrass Energy is currently developing a carbon dioxide sequestration hub in Wyoming for this purpose. To address water usage concerns, Google said the data center will use air-cooling to reduce strain on local water resources.

Before the official announcement, Google met with more than 200 residents in Laramie County to gather feedback. Cheyenne Mayor Patrick Collins said he has discussed the project with Google for at least a year. He stated that Tallgrass is preparing a one-square-mile area for the first phase. Collins noted that Tallgrass has already spent millions of dollars and that Google will break ground soon. He characterized the development as a confirmed fact rather than speculation.

Larry Wolfe, a Cheyenne City Councilman, described the announcement as a confirmation of long-held rumors. He told WyoFile that local officials have grown cynical about smaller projects. Wolfe noted that the scale of this investment, ranging between $10 billion and $20 billion, sets a new standard for major infrastructure in the region. It remained unclear on Thursday when the first facility would be completed or the exact timeline for the full buildout.