Wyoming is making a stronger push to position itself as a destination for artificial intelligence and advanced computing infrastructure, with Governor Mark Gordon signing a new executive order aimed at attracting data center investment to the state.
The order, titled “Data Centers the Wyoming Way,” lays out a structured approach for how state agencies should support the development of large-scale computing facilities.
It is intended to speed up approvals and coordination between departments involved with permits and regulations, but it still expects sustainability in the long-term.
One key element of the plan highlights practical issues associated with the rapid expansion of data centers, such as managing water consumption, improving energy efficiency, and avoiding high local electricity loads that could increase prices and inconvenience local residents.
The order also stresses the need to build up the workforce, so that locals are ready to fill jobs that will come with the new tech infrastructure.
Wyoming coordinates state agencies to streamline data center
The directive’s reach covers a lot of ground. It includes all state agencies that review, regulate, or support major data center projects, demonstrating Wyoming’s serious effort to attract more investors. Plus, the timing couldn’t be better. The president signed an executive order the day before this, pushing for AI growth in national security. So it shows there’s a broader push nationwide to accelerate AI progress.
Investment in AI infrastructure is through the roof across the States. Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Alphabet are investing more than $650 billion into their data centers, cloud systems and AI computing this year alone. The funds will largely be used to enhance large language models and strengthen the cloud services provided to companies.
The magnitude of this investment is also reverberating beyond tech firms. Berkshire Hathaway recently added to its position in Alphabet. It indicates major institutions are beginning to view long-term AI growth predictions with a new lens.
Wyoming leverages energy strengths and Bitcoin mining base
Wyoming’s plan aims to cash in on the state’s growing reputation in energy-intensive industries, such as Bitcoin mining. With an abundance of energy resources and a business-friendly vibe, Wyoming is turning into a hub for these kinds of operations.
CleanSpark stepped up its game in 2024 by picking up a facility that adds 75 megawatts of power. This move gives a serious boost to local mining activities.
While Bitcoin mining remains the big player, firms want to spread their risk by moving into AI and high-performance computing too. The reason? To handle the pressure from the 2024 Bitcoin halving.
Companies like IREN, MARA Holdings, Cipher Mining, Hut 8, HIVE Digital, and TeraWulf plan to dive into AI infrastructure and data center hosting. They see it as their ticket to growth.
Analysts are beginning to catch on too. Bernstein just tacked TeraWulf and Cipher onto its roster, labeling them as “emerging AI infrastructure.” It shows how much the crypto mining and AI worlds are blending together.
Thanks to Wyoming’s new executive order, it’s clear where things are heading. Both states and businesses are pretty excited about hopping on the AI bandwagon.