Google Awards $200k to West Virginia Community Ahead of Data Center Project

Google has awarded $200,000 in grants to several schools and organizations in Buffalo, West Virginia, ahead of its potential data center project. The funds were distributed among local institutions such as Buffalo High School, Buffalo Senior Center, Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department, Buffalo Elementary School, George Washington Elementary School, and George Washington Middle School.

The grants will be used for various purposes including free athletic tickets for high school students, library kiosks and physical books, A/V equipment for morning broadcasts, new flooring for pool rooms, weight rooms, and dining halls, as well as wheelchair ramps. The Putnam County Development Authority (PCDA) Executive Director Morganne Tenney stated that this is the first time Google has given funding ahead of a groundbreaking.

Resident Heather Ransom expressed concerns about water usage, tax money, and development overtaking farmland in the area, but Buffalo High School Principal Josh Isaacs asked that opposition be put aside for the benefit of students. The company plans to roll out more funding opportunities in the future through an online portal.