Planning for the Full Ecosystem
04/13/2026
MidAmerica Industrial Park’s Model for Growth
As communities across the nation weigh the opportunities and concerns tied to data centers, MidAmerica Industrial Park offers a long-term example of what responsible development can deliver when planning, diligence and community investment are aligned.
Google purchased a pre-existing building at MidAmerica in 2007 and began operations in 2011. Today, its Mayes County facility is the company’s second largest data center in the world. For MidAmerica leaders, that scale underscores both corporate confidence and the value of long-term community readiness.
“Companies like Google do not invest billions of dollars in a location where a project could potentially fail,” said David Stewart, CAO and a member of the Board of Trustees for the MidAmerica Industrial Park authority. “Every site undergoes rigorous due diligence — environmental studies, water resource analysis, power reliability assessments and long-term infrastructure planning. Those standards must be met before a single shovel goes into the ground.”
MidAmerica leaders say the Park’s experience shows that many community concerns can be addressed through preparation, transparency and long-term performance.
“One of the most important lessons we have learned is that success is not just about landing a project,” Stewart said. “It is about what you build around it and how you ensure the community benefits for generations.”
In Mayes County, one of the most visible outcomes has been the impact of ad valorem taxes generated by long-term industrial investment. Those revenues have strengthened the local tax base and supported investments that improve the broader community, including education.
“Ad valorem revenue has allowed our schools to invest in facilities, technology and educators at a level that would not otherwise be possible,” Stewart said. “It has strengthened the entire community and positioned our students for success.”
MidAmerica leaders also point to the importance of workforce and education pathways that extend beyond a single employer. Through STEM initiatives, digital skills training and educator support, Google has contributed to programs that expand access to technology-focused learning and support workforce development in northeast Oklahoma.
Quality-of-life investment has also been a deliberate part of MidAmerica’s long-term approach. Less than 1,000 feet from the Google data center, the Park developed The District — a mixed-use retail and entertainment center — along with West 530, a multifamily residential community that is 100% leased and operating with a waiting list.
“The fact that families live, shop and gather within steps of one of the largest data centers in the world speaks volumes about safety and security,” Stewart said. “These facilities are quiet neighbors, and they operate under strict security and environmental standards.”
The Park has committed additional land for a master-planned residential community featuring trails and park space. Construction is underway. Adjacent to the development, the Cherokee Nation — the largest tribal nation in the United States — recently opened a Child Development Center and Head Start facility, further supporting working families and workforce participation.
Stewart said the coordinated growth reflects intentional planning built over time.
“We aligned infrastructure early — power, water, sewer and transportation — and we paired industrial growth with housing, childcare and recreation,” he said. “When you plan for the full ecosystem, you create stability.”
After nearly two decades, MidAmerica leaders view their partnership with Google as proof that responsible data center development can coexist with environmental stewardship, infrastructure integrity and community advancement.
“Our experience shows that when standards are met and investments are thoughtful, a data center can become a catalyst,” Stewart said. “Not just for economic growth, but for education, quality of life and long-term regional prosperity.”