A global tech giant is making a massive move just across the river—one that positions the Memphis region at the center of the future of AI and data infrastructure.
Google is developing a $10 billion, 580-acre data center campus in West Memphis, Arkansas—marking the single largest private investment in the state’s history. The project, operating under the name Groot LLC, will span nearly 1,200 acres and include five large-scale data centers, offices, internal roadways, stormwater systems, and a massive new utility substation.
Though officially quiet, multiple sources have confirmed to the Memphis Business Journal that Groot LLC is a local operating entity for Google. RFPs (requests for proposals) are already circulating for contractors, and construction signage is now up near the site off Bollinger Road—just south of the recently expanded Coca-Cola bottling plant.
The project’s scale is enormous. Not only does it dwarf previous developments in the region, but it also reflects Google’s commitment to growing its AI capabilities. In fact, the company has pledged to spend $75 billion this year on building data centers to support AI operations—a move that could signal the West Memphis campus as a key player in that future.
On May 15, the West Memphis City Council approved a memorandum of understanding, development and supplier agreement, and a PILOT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) incentive deal with Groot LLC. The agreement outlines a $10 billion investment with the potential for up to $50 billion in personal property tax abatements.
To put that in perspective, the current record-holder for private investment in Arkansas is U.S. Steel’s $3 billion Big River Steel plant. Google’s project more than triples that.
Site plans filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers show five planned data centers, a central office, and a water treatment facility—all powered by a forthcoming 26-acre substation with 500/230 kV capacity, fully integrated into the West Memphis grid. That substation alone is estimated to cost $142 million, according to filings with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.
And while details remain limited, the project is already making waves among infrastructure and development leaders. Turner Construction Co., in a joint venture with Yates Construction, is listed on-site. The same team is currently building an Amazon data center in Jackson, Mississippi.
The new Google campus joins a growing roster of transformational developments across the Memphis region, including Ford’s BlueOval City, U.S. Steel, xAI’s AI hub, and Amplify Cell Technologies. Altogether, these projects represent $30 billion in new investment—about 30% of the region’s GDP.
Google is also known for more than just cutting-edge tech. Its data center initiatives emphasize workforce development, small business engagement, clean energy access, and long-term community investment. The company aims to operate all data centers with net-zero emissions by 2030. Water cooling systems—likely powered by the region’s abundant Memphis Sand Aquifer—may also be a part of the infrastructure.
For West Memphis, this isn’t just another business deal. It’s a turning point. After announcing its first Starbucks last fall and a new Buc-ee’s soon after, the city is now home to a development that could redefine its economic future—and the Memphis region’s place in the tech world.
As the project unfolds, Memphis and its neighbors stand to gain more than just buildings and infrastructure. We’re gaining momentum, innovation, and the attention of the world’s biggest players in tech.
