Nebius breaks ground on gigawatt-scale AI factory in Independence, Missouri

Nebius breaks ground on gigawatt-scale AI factory in Independence, Missouri
 

• City leaders and local stakeholders help launch construction of multi-building campus that supports 1,000+ jobs, sizable tax revenues, and area education programs.

 

Independence, MO., May 12, 2026 — Nebius (Nasdaq: NBIS), the AI cloud company, today broke ground on its flagship AI factory campus in Independence, Missouri – the company’s first gigawatt-scale digital infrastructure project in the US.

 

The ceremony brought together state and local leaders, economic development partners, community members and company representatives to mark the start of construction of the multi-building AI factory on approximately 400 acres in eastern Independence. 

 

Nebius already operates in the Kansas City area and sees the Independence AI factory as a critical next step in its long-term growth in the US.

 

“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 Nebius Board Chairman, John Boynton. “We want to create lasting opportunities, act as a good partner with the community, and set a standard for developing AI and digital infrastructure responsibly.”

 

“Missouri continues to lead in innovation, infrastructure, and investment, and this facility in Independence is another example of that momentum in action,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “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. We are proud to support investments that keep Missouri competitive and moving forward.”

 

Construction of the first phase of the AI factory is now underway. In both the construction and operation phases, Nebius has put in place intentional design measures to minimize impact at a local level, including by minimizing water use, containing noise and light, and protecting ratepayers.

 

Creating approximately 1,200 construction jobs – overwhelmingly drawn from local union building trades – and 130 permanent high-tech positions at full operation, Nebius’s Independence investment is also expected to generate $650 million in tax payments to local school districts and taxing jurisdictions over the next 20 years. 

 

Nebius is committed to transparent operations and sustained community engagement. As part of this, the company has established a community benefits plan focused on education and local investment, and has already begun to put this into practice, including a recent donation to eliminate school meal debt at Independence and Ft. Osage School Districts and an initial agreement with Metropolitan Community College focused on AI literacy and workforce development.

More information about the Nebius AI factory in Independence, Missouri, can be found at nebius-independencemo.com.

 

High resolution photos from today’s groundbreaking are available here.

 

Here’s what community, business, and education leaders are saying about Nebius’ collaborative, partnership-focused investment approach:

 

• Valerie Byrnes, President of the Independence Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership: “This project is a powerful catalyst for sustained economic growth in Independence. This is a pivotal project that elevates a city’s trajectory—attracting new industries, driving infrastructure investment, and creating momentum that will shape our economy for decades to come.”

 

• Michelle Hataway, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development: “Nebius’ decision to expand in Independence is another strong signal that Missouri is competing and winning in the technology and innovation economy. This billion-dollar-investment and creation of new jobs will bring new opportunities to the region while strengthening the state’s growing reputation as a destination for high-tech industry and forward-looking investment.”

 

• Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership: “This project highlights the extraordinary pace of growth in the AI industry – and why Missouri is the right place for that growth. With our central location, robust infrastructure, and ability to deliver power at scale, Missouri offers a compelling environment for next-generation technology investment, and Nebius’ decision reinforces our strength as a global competitor.”

 

• Tim Cowden, President and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council: “The Kansas City region continues to stand out as a top destination for global technology investment. Nebius’ decision to choose Independence underscores the strength of our infrastructure, our talent pipeline and a highly collaborative, business-focused environment that helps companies scale and succeed.”

 

• Ned Finkle, Nvidia Vice President of External Affairs: "Artificial intelligence is driving the largest infrastructure buildout in history — and that buildout must be rooted here in the United States. This Nebius campus will create thousands of jobs, strengthen American supply chains, and build the AI factories that will power the next era of computing. Nvidia is proud to stand with Nebius and the State of Missouri as we build the future of AI in American communities, with American workers."

 

• Dr. Cynthia Grant, Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services, Independence School District: “The Nebius AI factory represents a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for our community. For our district, it is projected to generate more than $463 million over the next 20 years, providing long-term stability and allowing us to better support our students, staff, and schools.”

• Dr. Kimberly Beatty, Chancellor, Metropolitan Community College: “The addition of Nebius to the Kansas City region will add value to the economic development ecosystem through their contribution to the community and K-16 education system. For MCC and most education entities, the ability to learn and partner with an AI expert has tremendous return on investment as we continue to serve our communities and students.”

 

• Chris Wilson, CEO of ARCO National Construction: “Projects of this scale require deep coordination and technical expertise. We are proud to partner with Nebius to deliver a facility of this complexity and bring it online in Independence.”

 

About Nebius

Nebius, the AI cloud company, is building the full-stack platform for developers and companies to take charge of their AI future — from data and model training to production deployment. Founded on deep in-house technological expertise and operating at scale with a rapidly expanding global footprint, Nebius serves startups and enterprises building AI products, agents, and services worldwide.

 

Nebius is listed on Nasdaq (NASDAQ: NBIS) and headquartered in Amsterdam.

 

For more information please visit www.nebius.com

 

Contacts

Media relations: media@nebius.com

Investor relations: askIR@nebius.com

Independence residents: IndependenceMO@nebius.com

 

Disclaimer

 

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