Nebius breaks ground on Missouri AI factory with 1,200 construction jobs
Nebius held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 12 for a gigawatt-scale AI data center campus in Independence, Missouri. The project spans 400 acres and represents the company's first major US infrastructure investment.
The facility will create approximately 1,200 construction jobs during the building phase and 130 permanent positions once operational. Local unions will supply the majority of construction workers.
Tax payments to local school districts and taxing jurisdictions are projected to reach $650 million over 20 years. The Independence School District alone expects $463 million from the project.
Construction and operations details
The first phase is already underway. Nebius designed the facility to limit local environmental impact by reducing water consumption, controlling noise and light, and protecting ratepayers.
The company established a community benefits plan focused on education and workforce development. Recent commitments include donations to eliminate school meal debt in Independence and Fort Osage school districts and a partnership with Metropolitan Community College on AI literacy.
John Boynton, Nebius Board Chairman, said the company is "committed to developing this facility in a way that directly benefits Independence" and aims to "set a standard for developing AI and digital infrastructure responsibly."
Regional support and economic impact
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe called the investment a signal of the state's position in digital infrastructure. "This investment from Nebius strengthens Missouri's position as a national leader in digital infrastructure, while creating quality jobs, supporting local schools and businesses," he said.
Valerie Byrnes, President of the Independence Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership, described the project as "a powerful catalyst for sustained economic growth" that will attract new industries and drive infrastructure investment.
Tim Cowden, President and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council, said the region "continues to stand out as a top destination for global technology investment" and that Nebius's choice "underscores the strength of our infrastructure, our talent pipeline and a highly collaborative, business-focused environment."
Construction partnership
ARCO National Construction is partnering with Nebius on the project. Chris Wilson, ARCO's CEO, said "projects of this scale require deep coordination and technical expertise."
Nebius operates existing data center capacity in the Kansas City area and sees Independence as the next phase of its US expansion. The company is listed on Nasdaq under ticker NBIS.
For more information about the project, visit nebius-independencemo.com.
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