At the recent NAIOP CRE.Converge 2025 conference in Toronto, Google executive Nate Regan shed light on the significant challenges cities face when negotiating with the tech giant over new data center projects.
As Google continues to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure, the scale of its facilities is often difficult for municipalities to fully comprehend. Regan, who serves as Global Data Center Market Development Strategic Negotiator for Google, explained that the size and scope of these projects can be overwhelming for local officials who first approach the company.
The Scale of Google’s Data Centers
Each Google data center carries an estimated price tag of $1 billion and requires a minimum of 150 acres of land. Whenever possible, the company seeks between 400 and 600 acres to accommodate current needs and future growth.
Google’s largest facility demonstrates the scale of these operations. Located on a 1,000-acre campus in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the multi-building complex spans 2.9 million square feet of space. Construction began in 2007, and the site has since expanded to include both industrial and office components. The campus supports about 900 employees who manage day-to-day operations, with investments exceeding $6.8 billion for land, construction, and equipment. The facility is spread across multiple sites, including addresses such as 1430 Veterans Memorial Hwy and 10420 Bunge Ave.
Earlier this year, Google announced major investments in the United States, including:
– $9 billion in Chesterfield County, Virginia, to establish a new facility and expand two others in Northern Virginia.
– More than $1 billion in suburban Dallas, Texas, for solar energy projects to support its growing network.
Currently, Google Cloud spans 40 global regions, with recent additions in Berlin, Germany; Saudi Arabia; and South Africa.
Addressing Local Concerns
One of the challenges in building new facilities is addressing the perception that data centers create few jobs. Regan emphasized that Google often exceeds its hiring commitments. For example, at a Georgia facility opened in 2008, Google employs 342 people—well above initial projections.
To strengthen relationships with communities, Google has been increasing transparency. Initiatives such as offering guided tours of existing data centers to elected officials have helped counter skepticism and provide firsthand insight into how the facilities operate.
“We have to be willing to show folks what happens inside,” Regan explained. “There is a misconception that data centers don’t create jobs, and that’s simply not accurate.”
Shaping Community Engagement
Beyond the economic impact, Regan stressed the importance of how Google communicates with cities and residents. He noted that shifting sentiment from NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) to PIMBY (Please In My Backyard) requires proactive storytelling and clearer messaging.
Google recognizes that it hasn’t always excelled in sharing the broader benefits of its projects. Moving forward, the company intends to place greater emphasis on transparency, community engagement, and long-term local impact.
