• Commits investments to 3 data centers

By Deba Uwadiae

Google has announced plans to invest $1.7 billion in Ohio this year at an event held at the company’s New Albany data center campus. This builds on Google’s more than $2 billion already invested in the state since breaking ground on its first Ohio data center in New Albany in 2019.

“Google’s continued investment in technical infrastructure, including its data centers, plays a critical role in supporting the company’s Al innovations and growing Google Cloud business,” Google said in a statement.

“Google’s data centers help power popular digital services – like Google Cloud, Workspace (which includes Gmail, Docs, Sheets and more), Search and Maps – for people and organizations worldwide”.

Last year, Google Cloud opened its Columbus cloud region to meet growing demand from businesses and public sector organizations in the Midwest and across North America. In May, Google announced construction is underway on new data centers in Columbus and Lancaster.

The Columbus facility is now operational, and Lancaster will open soon. The $1.7 billion investment in 2023 will support all three sites as the company expands its technical infrastructure presence in the state.

“Google has once again chosen to invest in Ohio, and this is great news for our state. This adds to the list of tech companies that are looking here to grow their operations,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted.
“Ohio is establishing itself as a premier destination for technology investment, and it further strengthens our case that Ohio is becoming the tech capital of the Midwest.”

“With each and every company that decides to expand and invest here in Ohio, it is clear that we are witnessing the creation of the Silicon Heartland,” said Congressman Troy Balderson.

“Companies like Google recognize the talents of our workforce and understand that Ohio is open for business.”

“Having grown up at a time when big companies were moving their manufacturing plants and factories out of Ohio, I can’t tell you how great it is to see Google invest its time and resources here,” Congressman Mike Carey said.
“This additional $1.7 billion investment will strengthen our technical infrastructure and continue to secure Ohio’s standing as the state for innovation and job creation.”

Google creates economic opportunities across central Ohio. Google has created more than 200 jobs for Ohioans in a variety of full time and external supplier roles, including computer technicians, engineers and various food service, maintenance and security roles.

Last year, Google helped provide $13.91 billion of economic activity for tens of thousands of Ohio businesses, publishers, nonprofits, creators and developers.

“Nearly every industry relies on computing power enabled by data centers – – including healthcare, the public sector, manufacturing, financial services, and more as they grow and adapt to the digital world, said Ohio native Mark Isakowitz, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy for Google.
“Our continued investment in Ohio is a testament to not only the business environment, but the strong community we’re building. Ohio is home.”

As a pioneer in computing infrastructure, Google’s data centers are some of the most efficient in the world. Google was the first major company to set an ambitious 2030 goal to run its business on carbon-free energy (CFE), every hour of every day, in all of its data centers and campuses worldwide.

Earlier this year, the company announced a partnership with EDPR NA Distributed Generation to create a 500-megawatt (MW) community-based solar portfolio, adding clean energy to the regional power grid PJ and extending the financial benefits of clean energy to Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) households. The initial portion of these projects will be built primarily in Ohio.

Google’s clean energy goal is complemented by its water stewardship strategy to advance responsible use – taking a climate-conscious approach to cooling data centers – and enhancing the health of local watersheds.
As part of this, Google is awarding a $125,000 grant to Columbus Recreation and Parks Foundation to support the region’s urban reforestation project. This investment will contribute to the department’s current work to revitalize underserved areas along the Upper Scioto watershed.

Since 2006, Google.org has awarded more than $5 million in grants to Ohio nonprofits and organizations, while Google’s local employees have donated an additional $1 million.

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