Google, State Partner to Offer Free AI Training

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) are pleased to announce a new partnership with Google to help empower educators, students, and job seekers across the state with critical job ready and AI skills, all at no cost.  

Missouri is home to nearly 100,000 active educators and 1.1 million students across all levels of education. These tools will further streamline educator workloads and create customized classroom materials that allow for a concentrated focus on supporting students, while giving learners access to innovative, active, and constructive learning experiences. 

“This partnership reflects Missouri’s commitment to using AI in ways that directly benefit the people we serve,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “As AI rapidly reshapes our economy, we’re preparing Missouri’s workforce with the skills needed to stay competitive. By prioritizing safe, ethical, and transparent use of technology, we’re making state services more accessible and ensuring Missourians are ready for the high-growth, high-wage jobs of an AI-driven future.”

Missouri is partnering with Google through its Grow with Google initiative, providing residents with free access to Google Career Certificates and Google AI courses. Training courses are flexible and offered online, designed to help Missourians strengthen their skills and gain job-ready AI skills that help them better prepare for high-earning careers. Individuals can secure their free license by registering online.  

“These courses strengthen our commitment to helping job seekers gain the practical skills and confidence needed to step into high-quality careers,” said Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. “By expanding access to cutting edge AI training and education to job seekers, students, and instructors, we’re preparing Missourians for the workforce of the future and ensuring individuals at every stage of their career journey remain competitive.”  

In addition, MDHEWD and DESE will provide educators, students, and staff with access to Google for Education AI tools, including Gemini for Education and Gemini Notebook and the Google AI Educator Series which provides standards-aligned training at no-cost to help educators understand and use these tools effectively.    

"We’re proud to partner with Missouri to give educators, students, and professionals across the state no-cost access to secure, cutting-edge AI tools, training, and certifications,” said Chris Phillips, Vice President and General Manager, Education, Google. “By delivering these resources directly through K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and local Missouri Job Centers, we are helping residents statewide build practical AI fluency so they can thrive at school and in their careers today and prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow."

“School districts and charter schools continue to have full discretion over the adoption of these tools, and for those that implement them, this work strengthens personalized learning and helps students interact with AI safely, ethically, and responsibly,” said Dr. Stacey Preis, Interim Commissioner of Education. “DESE is committed to ensuring the best conditions for student success and upholding a vision in which every Missouri student graduates with a great education.” 

DESE has four key areas of support that will guide the state’s rollout of these tools: 

 Support for Educators: Tools will help educators generate lesson plans, develop grading rubrics, and summarize classroom discussions, reducing administrative tasks and strengthening instruction.

 Customized Learning: Tools will provide practice exercises and materials tailored to each student’s learning pace and needs, enhancing teacher instruction. 

 Research and Brainstorming: Students can use technology as a supplemental resource while learning to verify the accuracy and reliability of AI provided information. 

 Digital Citizenship: A dedicated AI literacy curriculum will ensure students understand how to use these tools effectively and ethically. 

Rigorous standards for data security and privacy are built into the foundation of Google’s education tools. Clear guidelines and expectations are available for educators to help students use resources appropriately. By pairing the technology with digital citizenship instruction, educators can reinforce ethical use and help students develop the skills needed to engage with AI responsibly. 

Opinion -- Governor Kehoe Announces $15 Billion Google Data Center in Montgomery County

By Governor Mike Kehoe’s Office

On Wednesday, at a community celebration in Montgomery County, Google announced a new $15 billion investment in building infrastructure in New Florence, Missouri. The historic investment is built on a commitment to responsibly increase local infrastructure capacity, expand energy affordability programs, and fund thousands of jobs in the region.

“Google’s historic investment in Montgomery County is a testament to Missouri’s growing reputation as a premier destination for innovation and next-generation technology,” said Governor Mike Kehoe. “Beyond the significant economic impact and job creation, Google has demonstrated a true commitment to strengthening the community through local partnerships, investments, grants, and support for area businesses. This project represents more than infrastructure - it’s an investment in Missouri families, communities, and long-term opportunity. We are proud to partner with companies like Google that are helping drive economic growth while making a meaningful difference in the communities they call home.”

“We look forward to expanding Google’s investments in Missouri and helping Missourians benefit from the next wave of American innovation,” said Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google. “To deliver the upside of technology, we are investing in workforce development and energy affordability, both directly and through our partnerships with local organizations. This commitment will provide thousands of Missourians with valuable technical and trade skills, while supporting energy affordability for residents in Montgomery County and across the state.”

“This project will deliver lasting economic benefits through new investment, support for local businesses, and meaningful community partnerships that help create opportunities for Missourians,” said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Department of Economic Development. “Google’s commitment to community engagement, workforce development, and local initiatives demonstrates the type of corporate partnership that helps communities grow and prosper for generations to come.”

Creating Local Jobs and Supporting Economic Opportunity

Google data centers serve as powerful economic engines, with every direct position generating nearly nine additional roles locally - spanning specialized construction, HVAC repair, maintenance, and landscaping. This powerful multiplier effect is clear in Missouri, where the project will create thousands of construction jobs over the build period and hundreds of direct, long-term operational roles once the facility is up and running.

To help prepare Missourians for skilled job opportunities, Google is collaborating with the Construction Laborers and Contractors Joint Training Fund of Eastern Missouri to support the Laborers and Contractors Training Center. This project will enable the center to train more than 2,300 construction laborers, including 1,500 apprentices, over the next two years.

These workforce development investments complement Google’s Skilled Trades and Readiness (STAR) Program in Kansas City that equips local talent with the entry-level skills needed for rewarding careers in construction and the trades. To date, nearly 130 Missourians have graduated from the program, with the majority now actively employed in related construction or trade roles. Also in Kansas City, the company is supporting a major new workforce development facility and expanding K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs to prepare students with the in-demand skills and digital capabilities needed for the future economy. 

To further root Google’s commitment to Missouri, Google is helping launch a first-of-its-kind mobile sensory and accessibility resource center at festivals, sporting events, schools, and community gatherings across Missouri to remove barriers to community participation.

Increasing Local Infrastructure Capacity and Expanding Energy Affordability 

In accordance with Missouri's consumer protections in Senate Bill 4, which Governor Kehoe signed into law in 2025, Google will continue to pay for 100% of the power the data center uses and any new infrastructure costs that are directly driven by its operations.

To date, Google has contracted to bring more than one gigawatt (GW) of new generation capacity to Missouri, and, through its partnership with Ameren, the company is supporting the development of more than 500 megawatts (MW) of additional capacity. Google also worked with Ameren and Evergy to bring the Capacity Commitment Framework (CCF) to Missouri, which ensures it and other large energy customers pay for their electricity and infrastructure needs, protect local ratepayers, and actively bolster the long-term resilience of the electrical grid.

To further address energy affordability, Google has also announced a $20 million Energy Impact Fund to support programs that drive down monthly energy bills for Missouri households - focused on Montgomery, Clay, Platte, and other counties surrounding Google’s planned data centers in Kansas City and New Florence. 

One of the first fund recipients will be North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC), which will undertake critical home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades in and around Montgomery County. Funding will also support the NECAC Weatherization Apprenticeship Program by expanding its capacity and providing new equipment and tools to repair crews.

Protecting Local Water Supply

Google is committed to responsibly managing water resources where it builds and operates data centers and ensuring its growth never comes at the expense of the communities it calls home. The Montgomery County data center will use advanced air-cooling technology, limiting water consumption to uses like kitchens. Google replenishes more freshwater than it consumes by supporting local watershed projects like the Missouri SWAN Smart Irrigation Initiative, which protects surface and groundwater supplies by helping participating farms optimize irrigation and reduce runoff.

What Others are Saying

“We are proud to welcome Google’s investment in our community,” said Ryan Poston, Montgomery County Presiding Commissioner. “This project represents a major step forward in economic development - driving job creation, expanding our tax base to help reduce property tax for local citizens, and creating resilient long-term growth for Montgomery County. It’s a clear example of what strong partnerships can accomplish.”

“Google’s major investment in Montgomery County reflects what’s possible through strong partnerships with local and state officials to support significant economic growth,” said Martin J. Lyons Jr., Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Ameren Corporation. “This is the largest economic development project in Ameren Missouri’s service territory, and our new large load rate structure is designed to ensure we continue to deliver safe, reliable electric service for all customers at the lowest cost possible, with robust protections and generational benefits for the communities we serve.”

“NECAC is very excited to partner with Google and have the opportunity to weatherize more homes and make them energy efficient,” said Carla Potts, Deputy Director of Housing Development Programs, North East Community Action Corporation. “Our core mission has always been to empower low-income families and strengthen our neighborhoods, and central to this is ensuring home energy costs are truly affordable. With this partnership, we are directly addressing the burden of high utility bills through vital home repairs and upgrades, while investing in our future workforce.”

“You can’t build the infrastructure of the future without investing in the workforce of today," said Brandon Flinn, Business Manager, Missouri-Kansas Laborers' District Council. “Google understands that meaningful community investment means supporting the local workers. This collaboration significantly expands our ability to recruit, train, and graduate the next generation of construction craft laborers. By aligning technical infrastructure projects with robust workforce programs, we are creating family-sustaining career opportunities that strengthen local communities, support working families, and fuel Missouri’s economy for generations to come.”

“For years, our community has worked strategically to prepare for transformational investment opportunities like this, and today that vision is becoming a reality,” said Brent Speight, Chairman, Greater Montgomery Economic Development Council. “Google’s decision to invest in a new data center here is a testament to the strength of our infrastructure, workforce, leadership, and long-term economic development planning. Beyond the immediate construction activity and high-quality jobs this project will create, the long-term tax revenues generated by this investment will provide meaningful support for our local schools, public services, and community priorities for decades to come. This project represents more than economic growth - it is an investment in the future of our residents, students, and region as a whole.”

“Google’s continued growth in Missouri reflects both the strength of our state and the company’s long-term commitment to the communities where it operates,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “Across Missouri, Google has demonstrated that it is more than an industry leader - it is a strong corporate citizen that invests in local partnerships, workforce development, and community impact. This investment in Montgomery County represents another significant milestone for our state and reinforces Missouri’s position as a leading destination for technology and innovation.”