Sand Springs City Council Approves Google Data Center

The 827-acre facility faces pushback from local residents but support from city leadership.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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The Sand Springs City Council voted 6-1 to rezone land and approve the construction of a proposed 827-acre Google data center, despite heavy pushback from community residents. Mayor Jim Spoon expressed confidence in Google as a "good partner" that will "do everything correct." However, a local grassroots group, Sand Springs Alliance, has filed a lawsuit alleging the city violated annexation policies during the rezoning process.

Why it matters

The approval of the Google data center represents a significant economic development opportunity for Sand Springs, but it has also sparked concerns from residents about the potential impact on the local community and environment. The legal challenge from Sand Springs Alliance further complicates the project's path forward.

The details

White Rose Partners is the developer who intends to build the data center to be run by Google along Highway 97. Prior to the vote, Mayor Jim Spoon told the crowd of nearly 300 that it was a 'yes or no' decision, claiming there would 'not be another opportunity' for the city to be home to a data center. Sand Springs Alliance, a local grassroots group, has filed a lawsuit alleging city officials violated annexation policies during the process of changing the land to be a part of city limits.

  • The Sand Springs City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday, February 4, 2026 to rezone land and approve the Google data center project.

The players

Sand Springs City Council

The local governing body that voted 6-1 to approve the rezoning and construction of the Google data center.

Jim Spoon

The mayor of Sand Springs who expressed confidence in Google as a "good partner" and claimed there would "not be another opportunity" for the city to host a data center.

Sand Springs Alliance

A local grassroots group that has filed a lawsuit alleging the city violated annexation policies during the rezoning process for the Google data center.

White Rose Partners

The developer who intends to build the 827-acre Google data center along Highway 97 in Sand Springs.

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What they’re saying

“I think Google is going to be such a good partner. They are generous, they are considerate. I think they are going to do everything correct, and we are going to make sure that they do.”

— Jim Spoon, Mayor of Sand Springs (Tulsa Flyer)

What’s next

The lawsuit filed by Sand Springs Alliance alleging violations of annexation policies during the rezoning process continues to work its way through the courts, potentially complicating the path forward for the Google data center project.

The takeaway

The approval of the Google data center in Sand Springs represents a significant economic opportunity, but it has also sparked concerns from the local community about the potential impacts. The legal challenge from Sand Springs Alliance adds uncertainty to the project's future, highlighting the tensions that can arise when large tech companies seek to establish a presence in smaller communities.