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Nebius Secures Approval for 1.2 GW AI Factory


Nebius Secures Approval for 1.2 GW AI Factory
  • by: Source Logo
  • |
  • March 4, 2026

Nebius, the AI cloud company, has received approval from the Independence City Council in Missouri for its Chapter 100 industrial development incentive plan. This milestone clears the path for construction of the company's largest US AI factory to date, with potential capacity of up to 1.2 GW.

Quick Intel

  • Nebius gains City Council approval in Independence, Missouri, for its Chapter 100 incentive plan, enabling construction of a gigawatt-scale AI factory campus.
  • The project targets up to 1.2 GW capacity, marking Nebius's largest US AI infrastructure initiative and a key step in its long-term US growth strategy.
  • The multi-building campus on approximately 400 acres is expected to create around 1,200 skilled construction jobs and 130 permanent high-tech positions.
  • Features include a closed-loop cooling system with low water usage comparable to a restaurant or office, plus built-in noise-reduction technology.
  • Connected to municipal utility Independence Power & Light without raising residential power rates; includes over $650 million in projected PILOT payments to the city and local jurisdictions over 20 years.
  • Nebius commits to community benefits such as STEM and AI literacy programs, workforce development, first responder support, and a Community Engagement Panel for ongoing resident dialogue.

Landmark Approval for Gigawatt-Scale AI Infrastructure

The approval by the Independence City Council allows Nebius to advance with its planned AI factory campus in Missouri. This facility represents a significant expansion of Nebius's AI cloud infrastructure in the United States, building on the company's existing operations in the Kansas City area.

“Independence will be our largest AI factory in the United States to date, and we are fully committed to making it a project the city is proud of,” said Arkady Volozh, CEO of Nebius. “This is our first project of this scale, but not the last.”

Economic and Community Impact

The project is designed as a multi-building campus spanning approximately 400 acres. It is projected to generate substantial local employment, including about 1,200 skilled construction jobs primarily from local building trades during the build phase, followed by around 130 permanent high-tech roles once operational.

“We are building AI infrastructure at scale, and we are doing it in a way that genuinely works for the communities where we operate,” said John Sutter, VP US Public Affairs at Nebius. “We are grateful to everyone who supported this project, and we intend to earn the trust of all Independence residents — not through promises, but through results.”

The AI factory incorporates sustainable design elements, such as a closed-loop cooling system that maintains water consumption levels similar to those of a restaurant or office building. Noise-reduction measures are integrated throughout the campus. The facility connects directly to Independence Power & Light, the city's municipally owned utility, with arrangements structured to avoid any increase in residential power rates.

Financial Incentives and Long-Term Benefits

Under the approved agreement, Nebius will provide Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) expected to deliver more than $650 million to the city, local school districts, and other taxing jurisdictions across the 20-year term. This tax incentive package supports the project's economic viability while contributing significantly to local public finances.

Nebius has outlined a comprehensive community benefits plan, encompassing STEM and AI literacy initiatives for schools, workforce development programs, support for first responders, and the formation of a Community Engagement Panel to foster continuous communication with Independence residents.

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.

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