Google Clicks Oklahoma for $600 Million Data Center

Name: Jason McCarty
Phone: 405-815-5320

May 2, 2007 -- Pryor, OK -- Google Inc. has announced plans to invest $600 million to build a data center complex at MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor, Oklahoma.  The announcement was made today by Lloyd Taylor, Director of Global Operations for Google, and MidAmerica Industrial Park Administrator Sanders Mitchell at an event at MidAmerica, which included Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry.

Google’s data centers are a worldwide network of specialized buildings that contain the computers that support Google services.  Google will begin site preparation and construction in the coming weeks.  Google plans to begin operation in the first facility within the next 18 months.  Another data center building is planned for the site, with construction following the completion of the first building.  Expansion needs beyond these two buildings depend on future business needs and will be evaluated at a later date.

Google is now looking for local managers for the complex and on-site operations. Complete job descriptions for these positions and all future openings will soon be posted at www.google.com/jobs.  Additional support for security, catering, grounds keeping and other services will be provided to the complex via contract personnel.

“Our new project in Oklahoma will help us continue to provide fast, reliable and innovative online services to our users and customers,” said Lloyd Taylor, Director of Global Operations, Google Inc. “The assets that we found here at MidAmerica Industrial Park are an outstanding fit for our needs. Representatives of MidAmerica Industrial Park, the Department of Commerce, and other local agencies have been wonderfully helpful during our site selection process and we look forward to growing our business here and becoming an active participant in the successful future of Mayes County and Oklahoma as a whole.”

“This announcement marks a real milestone for Oklahoma, so it’s only fitting that it arrives in the year of our state’s centennial,” said Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. “Google is one of the most innovative and exciting companies in the world today, and this data center means the creation of good-paying, high-tech jobs. The establishment of this facility will have a continued and positive economic impact on Pryor and other communities across northeastern Oklahoma.”

Once fully operational, Google expects the data center complex to be staffed by up to 200 workers.  Full-time Google employees will earn an average salary of about $48,000 per year.  These positions include Facilities Support (HVAC, maintenance), Systems Administration (software technicians) and Data Center Technicians.  Some additional support services will be retained via contract (security, catering, grounds keeping, etc.).

“Google’s decision to locate in Oklahoma demonstrates our ability to compete for high-tech jobs in today’s global economy,” said Amy Polonchek, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “Our pro-business climate, highly skilled workforce and outstanding incentives attracted Google to Oklahoma.”

The firm’s journey to Oklahoma began in late 2005 when Google began to survey the central region of the nation for potential data center sites. The survey covered a dozen midwest states that ranged from “the Appalachians to the Rockies.”

In early 2006, Google site selection representatives began to visit a short list of states that would provide good operating environments for a Google data center. The field of candidate sites continued to narrow until mid-2006, when Google representatives began to discuss specific project details with officials at MidAmerica and the State of Oklahoma. In late 2006, members of Google’s site selection team concluded discussions on the MidAmerica site and began to finalize contractual agreements to purchase the property.  Google continues to look for additional potential data center sites and expects to make more announcements in the future.

“They searched, they found, and now they are coming. Years from now, that’s how this moment will be remembered,” said Sanders Mitchell. “But, right now, I want everyone to know that a lot of hard work by a lot of very talented people is responsible for Google coming to Oklahoma. We have been working on this project since the spring of last year when someone called Cathy, one of the Google team members, first contacted us about a project. At that time, it became known as “Project Cathy” to maintain absolute confidentiality for Google and for us.”

“What Google was looking for was all right here at MidAmerica, including available land, water, and electricity and a rich and reliable telecommunications infrastructure. Our talent pool of potential employees was also attractive to the company.”

“None of this would have happened without the exceptional performance of two important MidAmerica staff members, General Manager Larry Williams and Marketing Director Don Berger.”

“Many other people are directly responsible for this collective achievement. From the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, I want to thank Charles Kimbrough and Jonna Kirschner. I want to thank Shane Woolbright and Kevin Easley representing the Grand River Dam Authority in the negotiations. I also owe special thanks to our MidAmerica Board of Trustees including Rob Gilbert, Dobie Langenkamp, David Chernicky and Amy Polonchek for their support.”

“All of these people that I have mentioned are really responsible for this Centennial celebration and the arrival of Google to Oklahoma,” Mitchell said.

About MidAmerica
Located 30 miles east of Tulsa, MidAmerica Industrial Park is a 9,000-acre manufacturing, processing and distribution center located south of Pryor, Okla. Founded in 1960, the park now has a 365-acre regional business airport with a 5,000-foot runway, and owns the wastewater and water treatment plants. The nation’s largest rural industrial park, MidAmerica is owned and operated as a self-sustaining public trust established to enhance economic development and job creation efforts in Northeast Oklahoma. Over 75 firms are located within the park including divisions of seven “Fortune 500,” eight “Global 500,” and 16 publicly traded companies. For more information, visit www.maip.com.

About Google Inc.
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

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