Google confirms $1 billion data center plan in Franklin Furnace Ohio

Google will build a $1 billion hyperscale data center on 500,000 sq ft of land in Franklin Furnace, Ohio, backed by a 75 percent tax abatement for 15 years [2]. The project, filed under Tilted Gate LLC, positions Google to expand its Midwest footprint and adds a sizable power demand of roughly 450 MW, with the facility slated to be operational by December 2030 [1].

Scale and timeline

The Scioto County Commission’s approval confirms the data center will occupy 500,000 sq ft, a figure that is a third of the 1.7 million sq ft campus outlined in earlier planning documents [1]. Google’s own estimate places the peak power requirement at 450 MW for Phase 1, which comprises two buildings [1]. The site, covering 792 acres, is expected to come online in December 2030, aligning with the county’s timeline for the project’s first phase [1].

Economic impact and competitive context

The 75 percent tax abatement translates to a $500,000 annual payment in lieu of taxes, plus additional compensation tied to square footage once construction finishes [2]. This incentive mirrors the state’s broader strategy of attracting cloud providers; Google’s earlier Ohio investments include a $600 million New Albany center in 2019 and subsequent $1 billion commitments in Columbus and Lancaster [2]. Compared with rivals such as Amazon and Microsoft, which have secured similar abatements in other states, Google’s deal underscores Ohio’s competitive positioning in the hyperscale market.

What to watch

• Construction milestones – Completion of the first building and connection to the 138 kV Wheelersburg line, approved in 2026, will signal progress toward the 2030 operational target [1].
• Power supply upgrades – Confirmation of the 345 kV feed and any additional generator capacity will clarify the final MW footprint, which remains low‑confidence in current filings [1].
• Local employment reports – Quarterly updates on job creation and long‑term staffing levels will indicate whether the promised economic benefits materialize [3].

Google’s Franklin Furnace data center adds a major hyperscale footprint to Ohio, but the disparity between the 500,000 sq ft announced size and the 1.7 million sq ft campus plan leaves the ultimate scale uncertain. Monitoring construction progress and power infrastructure will reveal how the project reshapes the regional cloud landscape.