Google announced on Wednesday the addition of two new data centers in central Ohio.
According to the firm, one of the centers will be constructed in Lancaster and the other on South High Street in South Columbus, bringing Google’s total investment to date in the state to over $2 billion. According to Google, it has generated nearly $13 billion in economic activity for businesses and nonprofits.
In 2019, Google began constructing a $600 million data center complex and New Albany. With the New Albany facility now operational and adding these two new builds, Ohio has three Google data centers.
Two years ago, Google promised to spend $1 billion to expand its data center operations in central Ohio.
Google said that these subsequent actions demonstrate Google’s dedication to Ohio and its continuous investment in technical infrastructure, which is essential to fostering the company’s long-term growth prospects.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Congressmen Troy Balderson (R-OH-12) and Mike Carey (R-OH-15), and Ohio Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Stivers also attended Google’s announcement.
According to DeWine, he welcomes these new Google projects in the state.
“Ohio is a growing technology hub and data center market, and we welcome these two new Google projects in Columbus and Lancaster to complement the one already in New Albany. Google joins the growing number of companies that recognize that Ohio is a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” DeWine said.
According to Mark Isakowitz, vice president of government affairs and public policy for Google, the company is proud to help fuel Ohio’s growth as a technology hub.
“Tech is helping grow Ohio’s economy. The data centers announced today will help power Google tools for users across the nation and worldwide. We are proud to partner with the state and local communities to help fuel the state’s growth as a technology hub,” Isakowitz said.
According to Google, in 2022, it assisted businesses, publishers, nonprofits, creators, and developers by contributing $13,91 billion in economic output. The company also claims to have awarded over $5 million in grants to nonprofits and organizations based in Ohio since 2006.
Additionally, Columbus City Schools are enhancing its middle school students’ career-technical education programs with the help of a $100,000 Google data center grant.
Ohio is experiencing a wave of significant investments from the technology sector.
Honda and LG Energy Solution are constructing a $3.5 billion battery plant between Columbus and Cincinnati, which the automaker intends to use as its North American electric vehicle hub. Intel is building a $20 billion chip complex just east of Columbus.
Data centers run by Facebook and Amazon are also located in the Columbus area.
The new locations are currently under construction. According to Google, the data centers will support Google’s AI developments and tools, including Search, G-mail, and Maps.
The data centers are anticipated to provide an estimated 1,000 temporary construction employees and an unspecified number of jobs once the facilities are operational. When the data centers open is unknown.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Google and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce” by Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
