Google Jackson County (Bridgeport) data center, Bridgeport, Alabama

Google announced in June 2026 that it will spend $1.5 billion over 2026 and 2027 to expand its data center campus near Bridgeport, in Jackson County, Alabama, on the site of the Tennessee Valley Authority's retired Widows Creek coal plant. The campus began operating in 2019.

When Google chose the Widows Creek site, it planned a $600 million data center on 350 acres of TVA land and 75 to 100 initial jobs, the first project recruited under Alabama's data center incentives. "The idea of repurposing a former coal generating site and powering our new facility with renewable energy, especially reliable, affordable energy that we can count on 24/7 with the existing infrastructure in place, was attractive", Google's Gary Demasi said then. TVA had voted to close the coal plant, in operation since 1952, citing new federal coal ash rules.

The expansion is expected to bring more than 1,000 contract workers during construction, on top of hundreds of full-time jobs already at the campus. "This is probably one of the largest announcements that have been made in Jackson County," said Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter. "It's generational change." Google says it will pay for all the electricity the site uses and the infrastructure costs tied to its operations, so costs are not shifted to residential ratepayers. "One of our points, as we always do, we pay our way," said site lead Thomas Gamble. Google also announced a $2 million Energy Impact Fund with TVA and the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama for weatherization of homes and schools, and $550,000 for STEM kits in Jackson County schools.

Google says it has contracted for more than 300 megawatts of new generation in the Tennessee Valley, joined TVA and Kairos Power in a 2025 deal for up to 50 megawatts of advanced nuclear power, and reduces its electricity use when demand on the grid peaks. Data centers can use up to 5 million gallons of water a day, and Google points to its pledge to replenish more water than it uses by 2030 and its support for restoring the Paint Rock River watershed.

Alabama lawmakers this year passed a bill reducing tax abatements for large data centers and another requiring the facilities, not neighbors, to pay for the energy they consume. Alabama voters are split: in one statewide survey, 22% said data centers were good for the state, 25% bad and 37% a mixed bag.