GOOGLE TO MAKE $1+ BILLION TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT IN NEW ALBANY

Google purchases new sites in Columbus and Lancaster for potential future data centers, announces Google Cloud region to support businesses across industries

NEW ALBANY (August 19, 2021) — Today, Google announced a commitment to invest an additional $1 billion to substantially expand its existing data center site in New Albany, Ohio. The company also announced it has acquired an additional 618 acres of land in Columbus and Lancaster, Ohio, for potential future data center locations, bringing its total to over 1,000 acres in the region.

“I’m excited that Google will invest an additional $1 billion to triple the size of its data center currently under construction in New Albany. In addition, Google has acquired over 600 acres of land in Columbus and Lancaster for future investments. Central Ohio has the land, resources, energy infrastructure, and talented workforce required to make these investments possible. I welcome this great news for Ohio,” said United States Senator Rob Portman.

“We are delighted that Google Cloud has committed to expanding its presence in Ohio, further solidifying the state’s position as one of the country’s leading destinations for cloud technology investment,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Google Cloud is choosing to expand here yet again, continuing a growth trend of cloud computing investments that we are seeing throughout Ohio.”

Google data centers power products like Search, Gmail, and YouTube for people around the world, helping keep the internet humming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To meet rising demand, the company will invest an additional $1 billion to triple the size of its existing New Albany data center facility, which officially broke ground in 2019 and is already in operation. Additionally, Google has acquired two parcels of land in Columbus and Lancaster for future potential development as data center facilities. 

To support its growing enterprise customer base, Google also announced a Google Cloud region coming to Columbus, to complement its existing network of seven cloud regions nationally and 27 globally. Cloud regions provide faster service in a given location so Google Cloud Platform enterprise customers can deliver digital services to their own users more reliably and at higher speeds. When the Columbus cloud region is operational, local organizations across industries — like retail, manufacturing, financial services and public sector — will have faster access to secure infrastructure, smart analytics tools and an open platform, all on the cleanest cloud in the industry.

“We’re proud to be an Ohio company and excited about the opportunity to continue our growth in the state,” said Reginald Mcknight, Google’s Regional Head of External Affairs & Community Development. “With its business-friendly environment, central location, and skilled workforce, we’re excited to be part of the thriving community that is continuing to chart a new path for Ohio’s economy.” 

“New Albany welcomed Google’s first Ohio data center in 2019, and has seen the positive impact Google has on our local economy. We are thrilled to see Google continue to invest and grow in our community,“ said New Albany Mayor Sloan Spalding.

Today’s investments build upon existing contributions across the state. In 2020, Google helped generate $9.63 billion of economic activity for 51,900 Ohio businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators and developers in the state. The company also assisted more than 541,000 Ohio businesses with requests for directions, phone calls, bookings, reviews and other direct connections to their customers. 

Google.org has awarded more than $1M in grants to nonprofits and organizations based in Ohio, including through the Google.org Impact Challenge Ohio. This funding has helped grow Ohio’s manufacturing workforce to fill critical needs for local companies and has helped develop programs to bring economic stability to low-income families in the state. 

Since 2010, Google’s Ohio employees — with matching contributions — have donated almost $700,000 to Ohio nonprofits and schools in areas they’re passionate about, including STEM education, economic opportunity, and access to the Internet. Grow with Google has also trained 180,000+ Ohioans in digital skills in partnership with over 280 local organizations. 

Read more in the 2020 Ohio Economic Impact Report.