Nebius broke ground on a gigawatt-scale AI factory campus in Independence, Missouri, on May 13, 2026. The project is the company's first gigawatt-scale US data center and proceeds despite public pushback.
Key facts
- Ground broken May 13, 2026 in Independence, Missouri
- First gigawatt-scale Nebius project in the US
- Project proceeds despite public pushback from locals
- Nebius is a Netherlands-based AI infrastructure company
- Google committed $5B+ to a Texas AI data center for Anthropic
Nebius has broken ground on its flagship AI factory campus in Independence, Missouri, the company’s first gigawatt-scale digital infrastructure project in the US. The ceremony on May 13, 2026, brought together state and local leaders, economic development partners, community members, and company representatives to mark the start of construction [According to HPCwire]. The campus is located in Independence, a suburb of Kansas City.
Unique take: The pushback from local residents highlights a growing tension between the AI industry's insatiable demand for compute and community concerns over power, water, and noise. While Nebius frames the project as an economic boon, the opposition signals that even in pro-development states like Missouri, gigawatt-scale data centers face mounting scrutiny. This mirrors broader trends seen in PJM data showing 4-year post-approval delays for AI data centers [as previously reported].
Project specifics: Nebius did not disclose the exact capacity in megawatts or the total investment figure for the campus. However, gigawatt-scale facilities typically require significant power infrastructure and land, often exceeding 1,000 acres. The company has not revealed its timeline for completion or the specific GPU clusters planned for the site.
Competitive context: Nebius, a Netherlands-based AI infrastructure company, competes with hyperscalers like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as specialized data center operators. Google has committed $5B+ to a Texas data center for Anthropic, with 500MW planned by 2026 [as previously reported]. Nebius's Missouri project positions it as a challenger in the US AI infrastructure race, though its scale and funding remain smaller than the hyperscalers.
Key Takeaways
- Nebius broke ground on a 1GW AI data center campus in Missouri despite local opposition.
- The project is the company's first US gigawatt-scale facility.
What to watch
Watch for Nebius's next funding round or debt facility to finance the buildout. The company's ability to secure power agreements and navigate local permitting will determine whether the campus meets its target timeline. Also track whether opposition escalates to legal challenges that could delay construction.
[Updated 14 May via dcd_news]
The campus will span 400 acres, Nebius confirmed [per Data Center Dynamics], providing the first specific land-size figure for the project. This acreage is consistent with gigawatt-scale facilities but notably smaller than the 1,000+ acres sometimes cited for similar projects.
[Updated 14 May via dcd_news]
Nebius CEO revealed during the Q1 2026 earnings call that the company is planning a second US gigawatt-scale data center campus in Pennsylvania, which will reach 1.2GW at full buildout [per Data Center Dynamics]. This expansion signals Nebius's aggressive scaling strategy in the US market, moving beyond the Missouri site to establish a second major footprint.
