The COVID-19 pandemic sped digital transformation across state governments, and many of the innovations will continue into the future, agreed state CIOs at the annual conference of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers on Monday. See more at ... NASCIO 2021: State CIO Survey Details Tech Priorities Post-Pandemic
Despite the devastating news recently shared through the United Nations climate study, there is some good sustainability news coming from Ohio. Toledo ranked #1 in Site Selection Magazine's Sustainability rankings.
According to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm "investment and innovation can build the clean energy future right here at home”. And that's exactly what's happening at Toledo's growing First Solar plant (built by The Rudolph/Libbe Companies, Inc. and soon to become the largest fully vertically integrated solar manufacturing complex outside of China).
In addition to First Solar, Lucas County Commissioners recently joined the "Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission to announce the launch of the online Toledo-Lucas County Green Map, designed to connect people to sustainable assets to improve their social, economic, and physical well-being". And Owens Corning continues to provide fiberglass products, roofing, and other materials geared towards sustainability.
Investing time and energy into the sustainability market is a crucial next step for corporations, governments, and individuals around the world. OITA is proud to highlight Ohio's own Toledo as a leader in this field. Congrats to TLCSC Director Melissa Greene Hopfer, MPA, Sustainability Coordinator Beatrice Miringu, and everyone involved in the recent sustainability projects and awards. Special shoutout to OITA Member First Solar for the contribution to this success!
Check out more about the list and #sustainability metrics here:
https://lnkd.in/eWjbHXU.
And check out the Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission here: https://lnkd.in/ePJGBM7P.
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.
See more at ... How state and local governments can prepare for ransomware
In 2020, despite the economic turmoil caused by the global pandemic, America’s tech sector experienced rapid growth. Last year, the total number of U.S. tech jobs grew by 60,000.
Because of this demand, U.S. employers are willing to pay for the right talent—on average, tech workers in the U.S. earn about 61% more than the average salary. But some tech workers make more than others, depending on where they live. See more at ... The U.S. States with the Top Tech Salaries in 2021.
Our economic development community proved last year that it can fulfill its primary mission - to build a better future - while coping with the most disruptive crisis of our lifetime.
See more at … Business Facilities' 17th Annual Rankings Report
According to a recent study, the expansion of high-speed Internet service across the United States is worth around $160 Billion in economic gains, mostly benefiting the middle-class, professional workforce.
See more at … Fast Internet Everywhere Could Grow U.S. Economy By $160B
OITA President Nick York will be a featured Speaker & Panelist at this year's "North American Strategy on Competitiveness" Conference- hosted by the NASCO Network in San Luis, Potosi, Mexico. Keynote speaker and Apple Co-Founder, Steve Wozniak, among many other top business, government and community leaders, will also be featured at the 3 day event!
To learn more about Nick York's work on innovation and technology at Transom Group, and check out NASCO and their mission to connect people, businesses, ideas, information, and organizations across North America here 2021 NASCO REUNION
See more at ... Ohio’s breaking records for VC investment in tech startups. So is the rest of the country.
