A Google data center coming to the area is still a work in progress and last week, Becker city leaders — as well as the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee — met at the site in the IP and at city hall  to discuss and plan for development.

Becker city has worked tirelessly over the last year or so to lure the $600 million project to Central Minnesota. However, the fulfillment of the venture may lay in the hands of lawmakers to make it a reality.

Becker is seeking nearly $25 million from the state in next year’s bonding bill to help make sewer and water upgrades to the IP to reel in Google.

Community Development Director Marie Pflipsen says it will take approximately 2,300 construction jobs just to construct the facility, making the project not only a great thing for Becker but for the entire state.

“Once  (the data center) is up and running, those 50 jobs actually means 110 jobs locally when you start looking at the restaurants and housing and attracting people.”

While the city works with the state for funding, Becker continues to work on completing the Environmental Review Process and zoning rules associated with the property identified for the data center.

“We’ve got a great opportunity to fill this place up with jobs and economic development,” said State Sen. Andrew Mathews.

Pflipsen says though the process to bring Google to Becker is still looking optimistic, the city most likely won’t know if a deal gets done until after the next year’s legislative process.

There is a sense of urgency because part of the Sherco coal fired power plant will being shutting down soon. It’s happening in phases, with the first part in 2023 and the second part in 2026.

Google would not be the only business in the industrial park that would benefit from new water and wastewater lines. Northern Metal Recycling — who is getting close to completing their new facility — has been working with the city to install sewer and water lines and improving roads in the business park.

The proposed infrastructure project would also help attract new businesses to the park.

“You have not only the high tech side of it, you have the blue collar, hardworking trade jobs that are there for a very long time,” said Rep. Shane Mekeland, who represents Becker. “It would be significant in any community, I mean this is a really, really big thing.”

The tour had a good impression on  Rep. Mary Murphy, who chairs the committee. She said she would support the infrastructure investment. 

“Absolutely,” she said. “We’re doing our hardest to get it passed.”