- $9B investment through 2026 will add a new data center in Chesterfield County and expand campuses in Loudoun and Prince William counties.
- Plan includes statewide education programs: 12 months of Google AI Pro access for Virginia-based college students plus training and job-search support.
- Company eligible for Virginia’s Data Center Sales and Use tax exemptions on qualifying equipment, per state officials.
The Big Picture
On Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, the Commonwealth announced that Google will invest an additional $9 billion in Virginia by the end of 2026, focused on cloud and artificial-intelligence infrastructure, with a new data center in Chesterfield County and expansions in Loudoun and Prince William counties, according to the Governor’s Office. Subsequent details in the release said the project pairs infrastructure growth with workforce and education programs for Virginians.
What’s New
Officials said the Chesterfield facility will join Google’s global network of data centers once complete, while the Northern Virginia campuses scale to meet demand, according to the Governor’s Office. The administration also noted Google is eligible for Data Center Sales and Use tax exemptions on qualifying computer equipment and enabling software, as reported by the Governor’s Office.
The company described its plan to work with local partners on energy-capacity solutions tied to data-center growth, including efficiency programs and other technologies, according to Google company blog. Google also said all Virginia-based college students receive 12 months of access to the Google AI Pro plan along with training and job-search support, and that the University of Virginia, Brightpoint Community College, and Northern Virginia Community College are included in the first cohort of the Google AI for Education Accelerator, as reported by Google.
What They’re Saying
Context
State leaders framed the announcement as a signal of Virginia’s competitiveness in advanced computing, with the administration describing Northern Virginia as the world’s largest data center market and a top-ranked hub for related talent, according to the Governor’s Office. The initiative also aligns with ongoing state workforce efforts, including the AI Career Launch Pad, as reported by the Governor’s Office.
What’s Next
Buildout of the Chesterfield site and continued expansions in Northern Virginia are scheduled through 2026, according to the Governor’s Office. Energy planning and workforce programming will proceed in parallel, with Google stating it will collaborate with local partners on capacity and efficiency initiatives, as reported by the company.
The Bottom Line
The two-year plan couples major infrastructure expansion with free skills training for students, according to state and company statements. If delivered as outlined, the project would deepen Virginia’s role in data infrastructure while widening access to technical education and job pathways.
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