Barber County Commission Set to Finalize Google Data Center Deal

The Barber County Commission is set to discuss and potentially finalize an agreement with Google for a hyperscale data center project in Kansas. Known as Project Helium, the development would be built north of Sharon and consist of multiple buildings. According to city documents, the agreement is for a hyperscale facility.

A report by the Congressional Research Service defines hyperscale data centers as those that are at least 10,000 square feet and house at least 5,000 computer servers and a large amount of network equipment. Google has stated that the project would create 500 new jobs, with most positions being on-site and full-time.

Despite the projected economic benefits, county residents have been split on the project, with some expressing concerns about how it would change the landscape.