An approved artificial intelligence data center project in Pittsburg County is continuing to progress as local officials advance key planning and financial steps tied to the development.
The project, known as “Project Emerald,” is planned for roughly 2,000 acres south of Kiowa. It is being developed by IREN, a publicly traded company that designs and operates large-scale data centers built to support artificial intelligence and other high-performance computing systems.
A county tax incentive review committee has taken steps to move forward a proposed incentive package for the project, which includes evaluating potential property tax abatements and other financial considerations intended to support the development. The committee’s action does not finalize the incentives but pushes the proposal forward for further review and potential approval by county leaders.
Current timelines indicate construction would not begin until at least 2027, with the project expected to be built in multiple phases. Once complete, the facility would rely on regional power infrastructure and represent a long-term investment in that area.
Project Emerald remains in the planning stages, but with the incentive package now moving through the approval process and timelines taking shape, the development continues to move closer to becoming a reality in southeastern Oklahoma.
Two public meetings where the public can ask questions are expected to be held in May with dates and times pending.