Google pledges $17 billion for Cheyenne data center campus

Residents in Laramie County will see four new data center buildings rise near Cheyenne as part of Project Tembo, a $17 billion investment by Google. The company has officially committed to the campus, which is expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in local property taxes over its lifetime.

Google officials say the project will bring direct financial support to local schools and workforce programs. Trystine Payfer, the Public Affairs Manager for Google in Wyoming, stated that the company is partnering with local school districts on STEM education. Payfer also noted that Google is working with labor organizations and state workforce programs to build local talent pipelines for the construction and operation of the facilities.

The company is currently meeting with Laramie County leaders to determine where targeted grants should be allocated. Payfer said these meetings follow a recent community gathering where approximately 200 residents provided feedback on the proposal. Google will also continue holding Community Days at the Cheyenne Children’s Museum, an event first held in mid-October, to engage Wyoming youth in science and technology activities.

Jocelyn Wulf, data center campaign manager at the Wyoming Outdoor Council, said the current proposals are vague. Wulf expressed a desire to see concrete plans rather than general statements about community support. She noted that without specific, binding commitments, it is difficult for residents to ensure the promised benefits are delivered. Wulf encouraged data center developers to sign formal community benefit agreements to make their pledges enforceable.

In a nearby example, Uinta County has negotiated a draft agreement with Prometheus Hyperscale. That agreement includes a potential $60 million community endowment. Funds under that draft would also support the Evanston Youth Club, the Uinta County Senior Center, and the Bridger Valley Community Center, as well as public safety infrastructure and workforce training.

Google states that Project Tembo will use carbon capture and storage to manage emissions from its energy use. The company plans to store captured carbon at the Tallgrass Eastern Wyoming Sequestration Hub. While Google says the project will pay for 100 percent of the power it uses, many environmentalists argue that data centers should rely primarily on renewable energy sources like wind and solar to reduce dependence on natural gas.