FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Google has announced it is expanding its Midwest presence with a $2 billion data center in Fort Wayne. Additionally, the company is announcing a skilled trade career development program and a collaboration with Indiana Michigan Power Company (I&M) to add clean energy to the local grid.
Google’s continued investment in technical infrastructure, including its data centers, plays an essential role in supporting the company’s AI innovations and growing Google Cloud business. Google’s data centers help power popular digital services — like Google Cloud, Workspace (which includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and more), Search and Maps — for people and organizations worldwide.
“Indiana has made it a strategic priority to cultivate the economy of the future, and we’re already seeing the impact of our work thanks to the partnership of companies like Google,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “Not only is Google choosing Indiana to power its global AI and cloud infrastructure, but we’re thrilled to see the company investing heavily in the northeast Indiana community.”
As part of its commitment to community development, Google will bring its Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) program to the Fort Wayne area. The company is collaborating with Ivy Tech Community College to help increase the entry-level pipeline in the skilled trades focusing on underrepresented communities. All STAR pre-employment programs are paid training programs and offer networking opportunities to help participants move directly into jobs with Google data center construction sites or other local projects.
Google also announced $250,000 in initial community and programmatic support benefitting two critical Fort Wayne initiatives: the new Fort Wayne Early Learning Center, serving East Allen County and Fort Wayne Community Schools students and their children, and Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network, Fort Wayne’s only local emergency housing shelter for families in need.