Nebius Begins Construction on Gigawatt-Scale AI Data Center Campus in Missouri
May 13, 2026
Nebius Begins Construction on Gigawatt-Scale AI Data Center Campus in Missouri
Nebius (NASDAQ: NBIS) officially broke ground on a major AI data center campus in Independence, Missouri, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion of digital infrastructure in the United States. The project, described by the company as its first gigawatt-scale digital infrastructure initiative in the country, underscores the growing demand for large-scale computing power to support artificial intelligence workloads.
The facility will be built on approximately 400 acres in eastern Independence. According to a company press release, the project is expected to create around 1,200 construction jobs and 130 permanent positions once operational. Over a 20-year period, the campus is projected to generate $650 million in tax payments to local school districts and taxing jurisdictions, with the Independence School District alone anticipating more than $463 million in revenue from the development.
“Projects like this are built for the long term, and we are committed to developing this facility in a way that directly benefits Independence,” said John Boynton, Chairman of the Nebius Board. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, who attended the groundbreaking ceremony, added: “This investment from Nebius strengthens Missouri’s position as a national leader in digital infrastructure, while creating quality jobs, supporting local schools and businesses, and generating long-term opportunity.”
Nebius stated that the campus will incorporate design measures to minimize water usage, contain noise and light pollution, and protect ratepayers. The company has also established a community benefits plan focused on education and local investment, which includes a donation to eliminate school meal debt at Independence and Ft. Osage School Districts, as well as an agreement with Metropolitan Community College to develop AI literacy and workforce development programs. Construction jobs will be sourced from local union building trades, according to the statement. ARCO National Construction is serving as a project partner.
The groundbreaking follows a series of strategic moves by Nebius to scale its AI capabilities. In recent months, the company announced a $643 million acquisition of Eigen AI, a deal aimed at enhancing its artificial intelligence portfolio and expanding its U.S. presence. Additionally, Nebius secured a $27 billion long-term contract with Meta to supply AI compute infrastructure, with $12 billion dedicated to Meta over five years starting in early 2027. The company’s revenue surged 479% in the last twelve months, and analysts anticipate continued sales growth. Following the Meta contract, Goldman Sachs raised its price target for Nebius from $160 to $205, maintaining a Buy rating, while Wolfe Research initiated coverage with a Peerperform rating and a fair value range of $80 to $170 based on future EBITDA projections.
Source: investing
