Google to expand Berkley County data center with $600M investment

Google brings additional investment to Berkeley County data center

Governor Nikki Haley joins Google to announce additional $600 million investment

January 18

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Nikki Haley, state Sen. Paul Campbell, Berkeley County Supervisor Dan Davis, Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce President Elaine Morgan, Google’s Berkeley County Data Center Operations Manager Eric Wages and local business and community leaders participated in a groundbreaking ceremony announcing that Google will expand its operations at the Mt. Holly Commerce Park in Berkeley County. The additional $600 million investment at the data center site brings Google’s total investment to over $1.2 billion.

“South Carolina and the Berkeley County community are great places in which to work and grow,” said Data Center Operations Manager Eric Wages. “When Google first announced plans to come to Berkeley County in 2007, we were attracted to not only the energy infrastructure, developable land and available workforce, but also the extraordinary team from the local community that made us feel welcome. Today’s announcement is just a continuation of our investment in the state. Google is proud to call Berkeley County home.”

The announcement aligns with Google’s goals to provide the best possible user experience. The data center in Berkeley County houses computer systems and associated components that support services such as Google search, Gmail, Google+ and YouTube. The seo company chapter is growing capacity to meet demand for Google’s services.

“Today’s announcement is another big win for South Carolina. We celebrate Google’s decision to grow its footprint in Berkeley County with a $600 million investment. When a world-class company like Google decides to expand in the Palmetto State, it shows we are providing the sort of business environment that helps foster success,” said Governor Nikki Haley.

Google first announced plans for a South Carolina data center in 2007 and made an initial investment of $600 million to get the center up and running. In November 2010, Google announced plans to construct a second building at the site, which is now in operation.

“Google has been a part of South Carolina’s business community for several years now and today’s announcement reaffirms the company’s commitment to our state. Investments like this not only create wealth but also help to sustain the surrounding communities,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

Google operates some of the world’s most efficient data centers – the company’s facilities consume 50 percent less energy than the typical data center. In 2007, Google made a voluntary commitment to become carbon neutral, and to reach this goal the company strives for efficiency and sustainable business practices. At the Berkeley County site, Google is experimenting with ways to collect stormwater and use it to cool the servers inside the data center.

“When our community came together to develop this business park, we wanted to attract leading companies that would establish deep roots and grow,” said state Sen. Paul Campbell. “Google’s expansion is an example of how Berkeley County can serve the needs of the world’s most innovative and dynamic companies. I hope Google’s growth here prompts other growing businesses to put down roots here.”

“Google is a world-class corporation impacting life and business in our ever changing technology-based society. The continued growth at the Berkeley Campus is significant not only for Google, but serves as an endorsement of success to other industries that consider choosing to locate in our county and region,” said Berkeley County Supervisor Dan Davis.

Google is also involved in supporting science and mathematics programs in local schools. Since 2008, it has awarded more than $885,000 in grants to local schools and nonprofits. It also has helped implement a free, downtown Wi-Fi network in Goose Creek.

“Google is a vital member of our region’s business community and their significant expansion is a testament to our fast-growing advanced security and IT sectors and knowledge economy,” said Wayne Hall, CRDA Board Chairman.