Google and Entergy Arkansas confirmed this weekend that a major data center will be built in West Memphis, Ark., and it would be a potential $1 billion investment.
“We’re thrilled to confirm plans to build a data center campus in West Memphis, Arkansas,” said Laurel Brown, regional head of Data Center Public Affairs at Google. “In partnership with Entergy, our electricity utility provider, Google will cover the full energy costs associated with powering this facility. We are also working together to bring new solar energy and battery storage resources online, and to integrate innovative load flexibility into our power contract to reduce our usage during times when the grid is constrained. We look forward to engaging with the West Memphis community and will be sharing more details soon.”
Rumors of the project have been abundant for months, but statements from the companies that were released in conjunction with a filing at the Arkansas Public Service Commission confirmed the project.
Google’s hyperscale data center will seek a special rate contract “consistent with the public interest,” according to the filing. It is seeking a decision from the PSC by Dec. 4, 2025.
“We’re proud to be partnering with Google on this exciting new project bringing unprecedented economic opportunity to Arkansas,” said Laura Landreaux, Entergy Arkansas president and CEO. “Our work to transform the power we provide is playing a key role in enabling the vision the governor and the General Assembly established to become a national leader in economic development for the benefit of all Arkansans. Together, we’re powering growth and building a stronger, more vibrant future for the next generation. Google’s investment in Arkansas will stimulate economic growth in Northeast Arkansas and across the state, and we’re pleased to welcome Google to Arkansas.”
The Arkansas legislature passed a new law this session that will allow for the capital expenses of the energy portion of the project to be phased in over a period of years while any infrastructure is being constructed. Previously, capital expenditures could only be expensed after the investment was completed.
Google’s statement said it would “cover the full energy costs” tied to the facility.
Multiple local reports in the Memphis-West Memphis area quote West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon who also confirmed the Google project. He said it was the biggest investment in Arkansas history and expected it to employ 300 people with more than 5,000 working on the construction phase of the development.
McClendon said next week he expects to reveal a community development agreement between the city and Google. He estimated that property taxes will pump about $120 million into the local school system.
Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald welcomed Google to Arkansas in a statement released locally.
“This new data center campus will be transformational for the City of West Memphis, the State of Arkansas, and the Mid-South region. Arkansas has the business-friendly environment and the energy infrastructure that Google needed for this data center, and we look forward to their success in our state,” he said.