Constructed in 2007, Google’s Lenoir data center campus began with an investment of $1.2 billion in the facility, and creation of more than 250 jobs in Western North Carolina.

The Lenoir data center helps power the digital services on which people and businesses rely, and helps keep the internet up and running around the clock and around the world, according to Lilyn Hester, Google’s Head of External Affairs for the Southeast.

The data center employees support the infrastructure that makes applications like Google Cloud, Workspace (including Gmail, Docs, Sheets and more) and Google Search fast and reliable. The services provided by the Lenoir data center team help people advance their careers and pursue new opportunities by making digital skills accessible to everyone. 

In 2023 alone, Google helped provide $12.22 billion in economic activity for North Carolina businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and developers by use of Google’s free tools to receive phone calls, bookings, reviews, requests for directions, or other direct connections to their customers. The Google Ad Grants program facilitated $18.5 million in donated search ads to nonprofits across the state. 

Looking to the future, the data center will continue to support applications that enhance small business resiliency through free and low-cost digital tools – including those powered by artificial intelligence – which are essential resources to address challenges, enhance efficiency, and position businesses for success.

Since 2015, Google’s commitment to new energy has led to an investment of $340 million in new energy infrastructure in the state. As a company, Google is working toward a 24/7 carbon-free future for all data centers and campuses worldwide by 2030. To support this ambition, opportunities to bring new, clean energy to Google's grids continue to be explored.