After initially concealing its identity, Google finally arrived in Midlothian for a new data center, officially.
The technology company broke ground to its Midlothian site, about 30 miles southeast of Fort Worth, on Friday, June 14.
Google also announced during the ceremony that it’s investing $600 million to develop the data center. The investment has jumped by $100 million from the initial offering, discussed by Midlothian City Council in May 2018.
At that time, Google was operating in secret and acted through a temporary company.
But when the dust settles after construction, Google will have a new data center in Midlothian, one of only 13 data center the company has in the country.
“We are thrilled to be growing our Texas roots with our new $600M data center in Midlothian and expanding presence in Austin,” Andrew Silvestri, Google’s Head of Public Policy and Community Development, said. “Texas has been an important home for Google since establishing our first Austin office in 2007, and we look forward to continued investment in the Midlothian community.”
The new data center would hire at least 40 new employees, as per a tax abatement agreement between the technology giant and the city of Midlothian. More jobs will be added to the area as part of the construction process.
“This new data center will be a boon to our job market and overall economy,” Midlothian Mayor Richard Reno said. “I know we’ll be great neighbors and partners, and we’re so proud for Google to call Midlothian home.”
Along with Google representatives, city officials and community members, U.S. Congressman Ron Wright and U.S. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson also joined in for the groundbreaking ceremony.
“Google’s investment in Texas, and especially here in Midlothian, is indicative of their commitment to help make our state a strong source of innovation and technological growth,” Wright said. “I know our big ideas and wealth of talent will help make this a successful endeavor.”
During the ceremony, Google also announced that it is giving a $100,000 grant to the Midlothian Independent School District.
“We’re living in an increasingly digital economy, and this grant will expand resources to our students as we prepare them for their future,” Midlothian ISD Superintendent Lane Ledbetter said.
The Midlothian site is not the only Texas expansion project Google is working on currently.
Google is leasing two new buildings in Austin. The move will help navigate the continued growth Google is experiencing at Texas’ capital. It already has more than 1,100 employees in its Austin and Dallas offices.
According to the company’s estimate, Google provided about $20.8 billions of economic activity to businesses in Texas in 2018.
“Time and again, companies like Google choose to invest in Texas because of our business-friendly practices and our talented workforce,” Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement. “Google’s expansion in the city of Midlothian will create hundreds of jobs for Texans and contribute immensely to the brand of economic prosperity only found in Texas.”